Ken Allen was a beloved orangutan at the San Diego Zoo, known for his many legendary escapes. He was 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 threatening behavior. He was raised in the Children's Zoo nursery. As a youth, he would unscrew bolts from his cage and explore his nursery at night, returning in the morning and replacing the bolts. During the 1980's, he escaped from his enclosure numerous times, teaching other orangutans to use tools and escape with him. He was never threatening, and it was more of a game to him. One newspaper described him as "The Hairy Houdini." He had his own fan club and newsletter, The Orang Gang News. The slogan "Free Ken Allen" was printed on bumper stickers and used by the Monkey Paw Brewing Company. A psychiatrist wrote and performed the "Ballad of Ken Allen." In November of 2000, it was confirmed he had a rare, fast-spreading cancer. Ken Allen was euthanized on Friday at 11:05 AM, December 1, 2000. He was 29. A memorial plaque was placed in the San Diego Zoo.

Ken Allen was a beloved orangutan at the San Diego Zoo, known for his many legendary escapes. He was 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 threatening behavior. He was raised in the Children's Zoo nursery. As a youth, he would unscrew bolts from his cage and explore his nursery at night, returning in the morning and replacing the bolts. During the 1980's, he escaped from his enclosure numerous times, teaching other orangutans to use tools and escape with him. He was never threatening, and it was more of a game to him. One newspaper described him as "The Hairy Houdini." He had his own fan club and newsletter, The Orang Gang News. The slogan "Free Ken Allen" was printed on bumper stickers and used by the Monkey Paw Brewing Company. A psychiatrist wrote and performed the "Ballad of Ken Allen." In November of 2000, it was confirmed he had a rare, fast-spreading cancer. Ken Allen was euthanized on Friday at 11:05 AM, December 1, 2000. He was 29. A memorial plaque was placed in the San Diego Zoo.