orangutans » Auckland Zoo

12-07-2008

Thnx 4 the information ! hope gangser falls pregnant soon !

12-07-2008

Hiya.
Gangsa won't be falling pregnant anytime soon (touch wood!) All our females are on birth control of some kind or another as we are at maximum capacity for Orangs and don't want to breed anymore for the time being.

As for Indra, Intan and Isim... I wasn't at the zoo back then but it is a very good questioN! I will talk to my colleagues and look through the zoo records to find out for you.

21-08-2008

Hi there

Just wondering if you know anymore about Intan and her kids?

22-08-2008

The current situation of three different groups of orangs (pure Sumatran, Bornean and hybrids) in Australasia stems back to the 80s when DNA testing conclusively showed differences between the two populations, and elevated them to subspecies. In the late 90s the two became seperate species. But as a consequence of the lack of previous knowledge many zoos ended up with hybrid individuals (I'm sure not only a problem in Australasia), which for breeding programs became worthless. And worse, because they live so long, the hybrid orangs take up valuable holding space for a long time. Perth was the most successful zoo breeding orangs in the region and concentrated on Sumatrans. Auckland had mostly Borneans (obtaining some from Taronga). Melbourne and Adelaide decided to move towards Sumatrans, and Taronga concentrated on holding just hybrids, with the aim towards obtaining Sumatrans in the future. The recommendation from the orang ASMP is for the region to concentrate on Sumatrans, but it has been widely acknowledged that Taronga and Auckland were not likely to make big changes quickly. As far as I know this has been the status quo for the last decade.

19-02-2009

Hi laloba

Is there any news on the primate section ?

19-02-2009

Hiya!
Hmmm trying to think of something interesting but actually status quo remains the same! Which is a good thing. No news is good news huh!
No births, deaths, illnesses or injuries!
A while back last year we did a shuffle round with our Orangutan groups due to a bit of aggression between some of the females, but all as settled now and the new group dynamics are working out really well!
Other than that, all is calm and settled on the primate section!

19-02-2009

what are the new groups ?

20-02-2009

Well the group in the old chimp exhibit remain the same: Horst INdra and Intan.
At the main exhibit there were two groups: Charlie, Melur, Gangsa and baby Madju, then Isim and Wanita.
We switched around so it's now Charlie, Melur, Wanita and baby Madju, and Isim and Gangsa!

21-02-2009

Was the old chimp exhibit built for the Giant Pandas originally when they came in the late 80's..?

21-02-2009

Hmm, sorry I don't know. I don't THINK so, I think it has been around since before then and used to house wolves way back when? But not 100% sure...

21-02-2009

Any chance of some transfers soon abroad or participation in the EEP or SSP for Bornean orangs? My hometown zoo could really use an unrelated (sub-)adult male for breeding purposes!

I find the complexity to relate to non-breeding of an endangered taxon rather confusing (hell surplus ok, but .... something keeps nagging us here)!

21-02-2009

I think in the future we will be looking outside of the region to transfer animals, as we are the only holders of Borneans in the whole area! Is just difficult being down this end of the world, and having to comply with various country's requirements etc. Would be lovely to contribute to the breeding program, but a bit stuck being the only place!

06-03-2009

I think it was the Orangutan enclosures that were originally built for the Giant Pandas.....

1 Week Ago

Has there been any recent developments with the Auckland orangs?

1 Week Ago

Yes actually. Our three in the old chimp enclosure are heading off to Florida in about a month. Horst, Intan and Indra are going to Busch Gardens Zoo in Florida to be part of an international breeding programn. Horst will become the number one male in the studbook when he arrives so will be a busy boy!