Chimps and Gorillas for Werribee » Werribee Open Range Zoo

07-10-2008

I think they are one of the MOST difficult animals to accomodate properly in a zoo situation. Few people realise how almost exclusively arboreal they are in nature- because zoo enclosures always result in them using the ground far more than they do in the wild. As you recognise, they often cease to exhibit climbing behaviour in zoos and become grounddwelling, an easier option for a lazy or obese animal. When this happens, they become a very poor zoo exhibit indeed.

Also it wasn't that long ago that Orangs were being displayed in similar surroundings to other apes- in fact in many zoos of course they still are. Its a real problem to provide enough 'off the ground' space and stimulation to prevent them coming down onto the ground, while they are of course very 'hard' on the vegetation in a controlled space.

08-10-2008

In this respect the new orang exhibit at Zoo Frankfurt is a turn key development. A high rise enclosure instead over rectangular. The great apes obviously appreciate the exhibit and no longer use the ground level much. I am sure this exhibit will set in motion of new development thinking in arboreal orang enclosure design across Europe!

08-10-2008

About the weribbe theme park like idea, I remember early on in the year Fotz sent me a letter about how they were against it mainly because of that the zoo might not be able to breed as well,

08-10-2008

Frankfurt have always been in the forefront of management & enclosure design for Great Apes, so I imagine this new building is one of the very best around. The pictures in the gallery of the Orangutan areas certainly give the impression it is superb.

08-10-2008

I certainly hope that Werribee follows through on these plans, especially after visiting Monarto Zoo on the weekend. They've got the space but it needs more variety and interactivity. I think the great ape additions would be awesome!

12-10-2008

How many chimpanzees are in Australian Zoos...I don't imsgine that there would be many to spare.
I have a feeling that the Gorillas may be the bachelor group from Melbourne and once thay have moved the ape grootoes are freed up.

12-10-2008

well Taronga has 20 chimps so im sure they can spare one or two!

Taronga also has two male gorrilas under 1 year atm so n the next 6 or 8 years they will ned somewhere to go and the werribe exhibit will be finished by then (?) maybe they can create a bachelor group wih the ones from melbourne?

13-10-2008

ill just comment on melbourne zoo's orang enclosure. i think it is an extremely well-done exhibit, a full immersion experience. presenting animals in pristine environments is nice if you can do it, but the orang exhibit fits within the wider asian rainforest and is representative of the critical fight for space between people and wildlife.
in this sense the enclosure is very well done; the outdoor enclosure is nicely landscaped and the artificial bamboo poles blend in well with the vegetation and are a practical alternative to real bamboo.
given space limitations etc, what melbourne has done is to present a well-interpreted exhibit with a functional animal group. it may have compromised full live vegatation but thats not a bad thing.

13-10-2008

If Chester's new enclosure is anything to go by, the Orangs would trash live vegetation very quickly in those parts of the enclosure which they use a lot. In Chester's case that's the indoor(planted) areas, when I went it looked like a hurricane had hit them..they are trying again I think. The outdoors are very well planted too and by contrast so far look untouched, presumably because they are larger areas the Orangs don't use very much compared to the indoor areas.

14-10-2008

The melbourne orang enclosure I agree is a very well made exhibit, making a Bamboo Jungle on the outside, it has a nice set up as compared to the usuall rope course,

14-10-2008

I haven't seen the Melbourne exhibit so am not in a position to comment on it. But my opinion is that the prime requirement for a good orang exhibit is that the animals do not need, nor feel the urge, to use the ground. That is they can spend their lives off the ground, as they do in the wild. Then they need to be entertained up there. Vegetation is very nice for us humans to look at, but for the orangs is just so much browse or enrichment.

14-10-2008

I think from what I've seen that the orangs would want to use the ground very much as there is very little flat surface, boards and bamboo pilliars act as the tree top, and of course there is also the indoor enclosure,