Inji, an “ultra-geriatric” Sumatran orangutan, is passing a milestone this month as the Oregon Zoo’s oldest resident turns 60 years old, zoo officials said Thursday.

“Inji’s in amazing shape for her age,” Asaba Mukobi, the zoo’s senior primate keeper, said in a statement. “She has no major health concerns — she isn’t taking any special medication. Her age and remarkable condition say a lot about the quality of care she’s received over the years.”

Her birth date remains a mystery. She was brought to the United States in 1960 after being captured as part of the wild animal trade, which was legal at the time. Her owner brought her to the Oregon Zoo on Jan. 30, 1961, and she was estimated then to be about a year old.

“We’re thankful that we’ve been able to give Inji a good home, but it’s heartbreaking to think about the circumstances that brought her here,” Mukobi said. “Even though the pet trade is illegal now, it still exists.”

Orangutans in Sumatra and Borneo face significant threats from poaching and habitat fragmentation due to roads and deforestation -- primarily to clear forests for palm oil plantations. About 15,000 Sumatran orangutans are believed to be in the wild, and 55,000 of the Bornean variety. Both species are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Their resemblance to humans has made them a favorite with zoo-goers, Mukobi said.

“Building on that connection, we’re trying to create awareness about what’s happening to orangutans in their native lands and let people know how they can help,” Mukobi said.

But if you were hoping to wish Inji a happy birthday in person, you’ll have to wait until next year. The primate exhibit at the zoo is amid a massive makeover, along with the polar bear and rhino exhibits. They are scheduled to be completed later this year.

-- Kale Williams

kwilliams@oregonian.com

503-294-4048

@sfkale

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