Ken Allen was an internationally, famous orangutan at the San Diego Zoo. Born at the zoo to Borneo orangutans Bob and Maggie, he was named after zoo keeper Ken Willingham and security officer Ben Allen, who rescued him from his mother's neglect. Raised in the Children's Zoo nursery, he would unscrew bolts from his cage and explore his nursery at night, returning in the morning and replacing the bolts. At nine months, he appeared with Joan Embery on TV's "The Tonight Show". In the 1980's, he escaped from his enclosure numerous times, teaching other orangutans to use tools and escape with him. He had his own fan club and newsletter, The Orang Gang News. He was celebrated with the song, "The Ballad of Ken Allen." In November of 2000, it was confirmed he had a rare, fast-spreading cancer. He died on December 1, 2000. He was 29 years old.
Ken Allen was an internationally, famous orangutan at the San Diego Zoo. Born at the zoo to Borneo orangutans Bob and Maggie, he was named after zoo keeper Ken Willingham and security officer Ben Allen, who rescued him from his mother's neglect. Raised in the Children's Zoo nursery, he would unscrew bolts from his cage and explore his nursery at night, returning in the morning and replacing the bolts. At nine months, he appeared with Joan Embery on TV's "The Tonight Show". In the 1980's, he escaped from his enclosure numerous times, teaching other orangutans to use tools and escape with him. He had his own fan club and newsletter, The Orang Gang News. He was celebrated with the song, "The Ballad of Ken Allen." In November of 2000, it was confirmed he had a rare, fast-spreading cancer. He died on December 1, 2000. He was 29 years old.
Bio by: Thomas
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