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.
Tori Spelling Stuns in ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Debut at 51 — Her Foxtrot Left Everyone Talking
Tori Spelling recently shared her excitement about joining *Dancing with the Stars*, but her foxtrot performance has sparked mixed reactions online. Public criticism is something the actress is familiar with, and this time was no different.
At 51, Spelling took to the *Dancing with the Stars* stage with grace and confidence, performing a foxtrot with her dance partner, Pasha Pashkov. The duo impressed many in the audience with their elegant routine. Her debut was especially meaningful as she had the support of her former *90210* castmates.
Despite the positive reactions, some viewers voiced concerns and critiques on social media, sharing mixed opinions about her performance.
For her ballroom debut on September 17, Tori Spelling wore a gorgeous, sparkly dress that featured sheer fabric around her midriff. She paired the flowing gown with glittery heels and styled her blonde hair with two braids on the sides, letting the rest fall in soft curls.
Together with her dance partner, Pasha Pashkov, the pair performed their routine to P!nk’s song “Trustfall.” Throughout the performance, Spelling smiled brightly as she spun, swayed, waltzed, dipped, kicked, and shimmied across the stage, following Pashkov’s lead and sticking to their choreography.
After the performance, social media users shared their thoughts. Instead of focusing on her dance skills, some expressed concern for Spelling’s health and wellbeing.
On the other hand, many viewers focused on Tori Spelling’s dancing. One observer criticized, “Awful performance.” Another commenter mentioned her enthusiastic facial expressions, saying, “Her face and voice don’t match she needs more practice .”
Some also questioned the difficulty of her routine. A YouTube commenter remarked, “Her choreography was way easier than most other dancers, not really fair to the other dancers.” Another added, “That was tough! Bless her heart, at least she looks happy?
Despite the criticism, some fans thought Spelling did a great job. One viewer, unhappy with the scores, commented, “She deserved better scores! Why was she undercut? Such beauty to her routine!!”
Among those showing support for Tori Spelling are her former *Beverly Hills, 90210* co-stars: Brian Austin Green, Gabrielle Carteris, Jennie Garth, and Ian Ziering.
Before her *Dancing with the Stars* debut, her co-stars shared how excited they were for her to compete for the Mirrorball Trophy on season 33. At the *90210* panel during 90s Con on September 14, they offered words of encouragement. While they all agreed that the show is challenging, they wished Spelling the best. Green, who had competed on *DWTS* himself, advised, “Keep your head on, enjoy the experience.”
On the night of her foxtrot performance, Spelling gave a brief interview with *Extra* where she explained why she finally decided to join the show. She shared that while she had turned down the offer in the past, it wasn’t because she wasn’t a fan—she confirmed that she’s always been a big fan of the show.
This acknowledgment in her book contrasts with a 2013 interview with *Us Magazine*, where Tori Spelling highlighted her bikini body and discussed her weight loss journey. In that interview, she stated, “I feel like I took off the weight safely, and I’m totally happy here,” reflecting the complex pressures celebrities often face in presenting an idealized image of health and fitness. This shows how public figures can feel torn between personal struggles and the need to maintain a perfect image.
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