Betty, Dublin Zoo’s longest resident and oldest chimp in human care, dead at 62 — rest in peace

Betty, the chimpanzee that had been at the Dublin Zoo for the longest and the oldest living chimp under human care, passed away last week at the age of 62. She was one of the zoo’s most cherished and well-known inmates.

A zoo blog article claims that Betty had age-related ailments that were impairing her quality of life, and the tough choice to end her life was made to spare her from suffering in the future.

Although it is heartbreaking to lose Betty, she enjoyed a lengthy life that exceeded the average lifespan of a chimpanzee in captivity. According to the zoo, she was also the oldest chimpanzee in human care at the time of her death.

Team leader Helen Clarke Bennett of Dublin Zoo, who has worked as a zookeeper since 1987 and has known Betty for many years, paid tribute to her.

In 1964, a West African chimpanzee named Betty made her way to Dublin. Bennett notes that Betty participated in archaic practices like “Chimp Tea Parties” and that the Dublin Zoo continued to operate in the “style of the early Victorian era zoos” throughout that period.

Betty saw major advancements in zoo standards throughout her decades-long confinement. For example, in the 1990s, the chimp habitat was transformed from a metal-barred concrete “pit” to an island with trees.

Bennett claimed to have known Betty since the zoo’s early years since Michael Clarke, Betty’s father, was looking after her at the time. The chimp was “always strong-minded,” according to him, and would not give up on her goals.

After Wendy moved in 1964, Betty’s best friend, Wendy, became an integral part of her life for the majority of it. One of the cutest pairs in the zoo was formed by the two monkeys.

“Wendy had a cheeky side, but Betty could hold her accountable!” Bennett penned the piece. “When Wendy was obstinately refusing to go outside while the habitat was being cleaned, Betty putting her arm around her to encourage her to go outside with the rest of the troop will always be one of my favorite pictures.”

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Betty and Wendy celebrated their 50th birthdays together in 2012 at the zoo. The zoo workers believed that Betty, who was devastated by Wendy’s death in 2014, wouldn’t be far behind.

She even managed to live on for a further ten years, rising to the rank of dominating female chimpanzee and earning the title of longest-serving inhabitant of the zoo.

Bennett stated that Betty experienced reduced kidney function and chronic arthritis in her latter years, which affected her weight and mobility. She was also under continuous wellness management.

They had to make the tough but humane decision to end the beloved chimp’s life after all medicinal and surgical alternatives had been tried. Even though Betty is no longer with us, she will always be cherished as a unique original and a zoogoer’s favorite for many decades to come.

“Although I am really saddened to bid farewell to a friend I have known since I was a young child, I am sure that Betty’s euthanasia was the right choice, ensuring that she didn’t suffer needlessly and preserving her dignity to the very end. That gives me a great deal of comfort,” Bennett wrote.

“Everyone here at Dublin Zoo as well as the many generations of visitors who were fortunate enough to know her will miss Betty terribly; there will never be another like her.”

Peace be with you, Betty. You lived a very long life, and it’s obvious that your loved ones and caregivers cherished you.

Say Goodbye to Cockroach Invasion with Peppermint Essential Oil

Are you tired of dealing with bothersome cockroaches invading your home? Don’t worry, we have a simple and effective natural remedy that will not only prevent their presence but also eliminate them for good. Introducing the incredible power of peppermint essential oil!

Peppermint Essential Oil: Your Cockroach Deterrent

Cockroaches are sneaky creatures that can find their way into our homes through various entry points, with drains being one of their favorites. Once they settle in, they multiply rapidly, posing health and hygiene risks that nobody wants to deal with. But fear not, because we have the solution!

Peppermint essential oil is a natural deterrent that cockroaches absolutely despise. By creating a barrier around drains using this aromatic oil, you can effectively keep these unwelcome guests at bay. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Craft your own spray: Mix approximately 10 drops of peppermint essential oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle. Give it a good shake to ensure proper mixing.
  2. Spritz around drains: Once a day, apply this solution around sink, shower, and toilet drains, covering all potential entry points for cockroaches.
  3. Stay consistent: To maintain the effectiveness of the peppermint barrier, repeat this process every day. Over time, cockroaches will associate the smell of peppermint with their undesirable presence and steer clear of these areas.

Additional Tips to Prevent Cockroach Infestation

But wait, there’s more! By incorporating the following practices into your routine, you can further deter cockroach infestation:

  • Keep it clean: Cockroaches thrive on food remnants and clutter, so keeping your home tidy reduces their sources of nourishment.
  • Secure your food storage: Store food in airtight containers to prevent cockroaches from accessing it.
  • Seal the entry points: Cockroaches can squeeze through even the tiniest cracks, so make sure to seal all openings around windows, doors, and drains.

With perseverance and the right approach, you can bid farewell to cockroaches and enjoy a clean and safe living environment. Peppermint essential oil is your ally in this battle, offering a natural and aromatic solution to this persistent problem.

So why wait? Give this natural trick a try and wave goodbye to cockroaches once and for all!

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