She died during the birth of her stillborn baby in January 2017, following which funds were raised to erect Camp Karta in her name at Bukit Tigapuluh National Park in central Sumatra.

Karta was born on 22 July 1982 to Jane and Otis at the San Diego Zoo, where she spent her first 10 years.

Her mother raised her and her younger brother Nias (born 1988), until they were both transferred to another zoo, leaving Karta at San Diego.

At the same time, Karta's image was used in the national campaign which encouraged the Australian government to introduce strict food labelling of products containing palm oil.

[9] Also in May 2009, Karta made a brief escape from her enclosure at the Zoo by twisting a stick around the electrified wires and short-circuiting the fence around her.

[11] Karta died from heavy blood loss after giving birth to a still born baby in January 2017.

[7] Funds were raised by the Zoo to build a guard post to defend wild orangutans, Camp Karta in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park, in central Sumatra.