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Reply to comment - orangutans in zoos

Category: Orangutans, Sumatran Orangutans, Uncategorized | Date: Dec 19 2008 | By: orangutanfoundation

Amy thanks for your question. Without entering into a debate about the value of zoos hopefully I can address part of your question. Stephen is currently very busy but he’ll hopefully blog again at the start of next week.

The assumption should not be made that just because orangutans spend a lot of time alone in the wild that this behaviour must be replicated in captivity. How solitary a wild orangutan is depends on factors such as food availability or type of forest habitat. For example, Sumatran orangutans are observed to be more social during times of increased fruit availability. If the habitat allows a higher density of orangutans then social behaviour is more likely to be observed. If food is scarce and long distances have to be travelled then orangutans don’t necessarily have the time or energy to invest in social interactions. Zoos often keep orangutans in small family groups, an adult female orangutan with her infant and perhaps juvenile offspring and this reflects a grouping that is observed in the wild.

What is certain is that there still remains a great deal to be learnt about this highly intelligent great ape!

Many thanks,

Cathy

Orangutan Foundation

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2 Responses to “Reply to comment - orangutans in zoos”

Amy, on 19 Dec 2008

Cathy — Thank you so much for your response. I am more familiar with elephants and how rarely zoos meet their needs and tend to be skeptical about many things zoos and their staffs say. I am just learning about apes — this is very helpful!

Dawn Forsythe, on 21 Dec 2008

Amy, you are right to be concerned about zoo behavior, although most zoos are responsible caretakers of their orangutans. With that said, however, an awful situation is unfolding at The ZOO Northwest Florida. The zoo director is planning to take a young 3 year old orangutan from her mother, Sara (who is featured on the zoo’s homepage, next a fundraising graphic!), and sell her to a private organization. Young orangutans typically stay with their mother for about 8 years, so this separation will be traumatic for both. (BTW, the website is an example of the worst hypocrisy — using orangutan pictures to touch hearts and raise money, while ignoring the needs of the animal herself.)

The ZOO Northwest Florida is NOT an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and is not following husbandry and animal management recommendations from the AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP) for orangutans. Unlike this zoo, the 51 AZA institutions that participate in the orangutan SSP are committed to the long term well-being of the individual animals in their care.

I know zoo keepers at other zoos who are heartsick over what is happening to Sara and her baby, Indah. Responsible members of the North American zoo community have tried to work on a solution, but to no avail. The well-being of these two individual orangutans is evidently not important to Danyelle Lantz, the executive director of this zoo.

ZOO Northwest Florida is in desperate financial trouble. To me, that is all the more reason to keep mother and daughter together and give them to a zoo that is committed to the well-being of their animals.

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