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.
If you see these painful red bumps, you may have dyshidrotic eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema is a common skin problem that many experience in the spring. This is an incurable disorder, however it is controllable and controlled. Little, itch-causing blisters are the symptoms.
A collection of illnesses collectively referred to as dermatitis that result in skin irritation are called eczema. According to statistics, there are only 35 million cases of eczema in the United States. Children under the age of five are involved in about 70% of these incidents.
The skin becomes red, itchy, and swollen during a flare-up, along with fluid-filled pimples that may ooze and crust. Allergy reactions are the most frequent cause of eczema, but genetics can also play a role. Eczema cannot be spread.
Dyshidrotic eczema is one of the most prevalent types, as was previously mentioned.
Pompholyx, also known as dyshidrotic eczema, is a recurrent, chronic skin ailment that itches and frequently manifests symmetrically on the palms, fingers, and soles. It is characterized by 1-2 mm deep-seated, tiny vesicles that dissolve with scaling after a few weeks.
This condition is also known as pompholyx, acute and recurrent vesicular hand dermatitis, acute palmoplantar eczema, vesicular endogenous eczema, cheiropompholyx (when affecting the hands), podopompholyx or pedopompholyx (when affecting the feet), and cheiropodopompholyx. There is some disagreement regarding the precise terminology and definitions.
Naturally, not all skin inflammations are associated with this particular form of eczema, so get a correct diagnosis before beginning any treatment.
The following are a few of the most typical signs of dyshidrotic eczema:
Blisters that have set deeply on the hands and feet, especially on the fingers, toes, palms, and soles
Itching Sensitivity
Smearing
Scaly, broken skin Anguish
Dyshidrotic eczema is more common in people who have hay fever, atopic eczema, or contact dermatitis. Unfortunately, it tends to become infected easily, which slows down the healing process.
While there’s no magic bullet to stop flare-ups, you can increase your skin’s ability to withstand inflammation with a good skincare regimen.
Creams are the most common treatment for dyshidrotic eczema; these may include corticosteroid ointments or creams, as well as prescription injections or pills.
Additional therapies consist of:
huge blisters being drained by UV light treatments
antihistamines
several anti-itch creams and ointments that inhibit the immune system, like Protopic and Elidel
In addition to these traditional approaches, natural remedies exist for the illness’s treatment and alleviation. Keeping skin clean and hydrated is often one of the best ways to deal with eczema. Your unique symptoms will determine the kind of therapy you receive and how often you receive it, but these natural, at-home methods provide you the confidence to utilize skin care products on your skin.
Chilled Compresses
Soak the afflicted region and use cold compresses for 15 minutes to minimize skin inflammation. For optimal results, repeat this procedure two to four times over the day and then moisturize the affected region.
Vera Aloe
Aloe vera, well known for its capacity to calm inflamed skin and quicken the healing process, can aid in lessening eczema symptoms. Break off a portion of the plant and apply the thick gel straight to your irritated skin for optimal effects. As an alternative, you can get a bottle of organic aloe vera lotion from your neighborhood drugstore.
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