Reaching 45 is an incredible milestone for an orangutan. While these intelligent apes can live into their fifties in zoo care, many have an average lifespan closer to their forties, meaning Charlie is now considered a geriatric animal. As he gets older, he receives closer monitoring and more frequent health checks from our keepers and veterinary team to ensure he stays comfortable and well.
Much-loved orangutan Charlie turns 45!
Priscilla Northe, Auckland Zoo
In his senior years, Charlie is starting to show some of the changes we commonly see in elderly orangutans – sleeping a little longer, moving more slowly, and taking life at his own pace. Our dedicated primate keepers support him every day through voluntary healthcare training, allowing us to monitor his mobility, teeth, weight, body condition, and overall wellbeing.
Like many older animals at the Zoo, Charlie also has regular dental checks. Teeth naturally wear with age, and dental care is an important part of keeping him comfortable. In recent years, he has had several dental procedures to manage age‑related changes, all part of the specialised care he receives to help him age comfortably and with dignity.
Amy, our Mammals Curator, who has cared for Charlie for 25 years, says:
“It’s a true privilege to have known and cared for Charlie for so long. I’ve cared for him longer than my own children, and he holds a very special place in my heart. Even after all these years, he continues to teach me and the rest of the primate team so much about orangutans. We feel incredibly fortunate to know and love him.”