Chester Zoo has announced that their beloved Bornean orangutan, Martha, has sadly died at the age of 59.
One of the longest-running residents of the UK’s leading charity zoo, Martha had been in good health for the majority of her nearly 60 years on earth, but within the last few years, she sadly began to develop and suffer from some age-related complications.
Vets and primate experts at Chester Zoo had been helping her with daily medication and intensive geriatric care, which including innovative laser treatment for her arthritis – but sadly, following a deterioration to her condition in recent months, the decision was made to put her to sleep.
Chester Zoo says the decision was an “extremely tough” one, and her death has been announced with “a very heavy heart”.
Martha’s story is truly an incredible one.
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Chester Zoo’s beloved Bornean orangutan, Martha, has sadly died aged 59 / Credit: Chester Zoo
Orphaned as a baby, Martha had to be raised in care by Barbara Harrison – who was an early pioneering orangutan conservationist, who helped to set up the first orangutan rehabilitation centre in Borneo – before she moved to Chester in 1966, where she went on to become a hugely-influential part of the international conservation breeding programme that works to ensure a safety-net population of Bornean orangutans.
At an estimated 59 years, she lived well beyond her typical life expectancy – which, in the wild, is estimated to be around 40 years.
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Martha was a great great-grandmother, having had two daughters – Sarikei and Leia – who she lived with at Chester Zoo, alongside her daughters’ own offspring, Dot, and a young female born in September 2023.
The zoo has paid a touching tribute to their “grand old lady” / Credit: Chester Zoo
“There really aren’t enough words to convey the awe and respect that I have for Martha, the grand old lady of Chester Zoo,” Chris Yarwood, who is the Primate Assistant Manager and long-time carer for Martha of more than 26 years, said in a touching tribute.
“It feels incredibly strange to have to say goodbye.
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“A wonderful mother and role model to her daughters, Sarikei and Leia, Martha was a true ambassador for her species, and fundamental to the establishment of the global conservation breeding programme, working to protect these charismatic, but sadly highly threatened animals.”
Mr Yarwood said getting to care for Martha for close to three decades had been “a huge privilege”, and said she’ll be “hugely missed”.
“She will always hold a special place in our hearts,” he concluded.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
19th January 2024 
