Ouwehand / Rhenen (NL) Orang-utan

the outside enclosure for the orang-utans is very original. A lot of high poles with ropes above the visitors. It is called "apen op stelten" which translated into something like "Monkeys on stilts"

How is it an enclosure if the animals aren't enclosed..?

they can't climb down the poles because of electrical whires. So they are enclosed

Wow very rare to see an exhibit concept that I gave not seen before and brilliant exercise for the Orangutans! Does anyone know if the Orangutans here are more active ?

It is less rare than you might think
http://www.zoochat.com/612/o-line-269874/

and of course
http://www.zoochat.com/573/orangutan-exhibit-363359/

Hi Zooplantman,
I have seen DC and have followed the thread on here re Indianapolis exhibit.

While I agree they are both similar concept, I would still say this is stand alone ( no pun intended ) ( well maybe a little as an entire outdoor exhibit within a defined space with no apparent ground space, totally viewable in one space.

Both Indy and DC from what I know don't consistently have there apes using the space whereas and I may be wrong, I am assuming that this area is the entire outdoor area and the apes are consistently in this space when outdoors. This may be just semantics but I do think these point make this exhibit unique.

Do you have a closer view of this?

Hi zooman

I agree, they are different.
(I believe that the poles here are not all of the orangs' enclosure. http://www.knutitis.com/t12488f593-Besuch-im-Ouwehands-Tierpark-in-Rhenen.html) But what strikes me is how close to the visitors the apes would be. Unlike D.C. and Indianapolis where they are so high up.

Hi Zooplantman,

I think that I will have to visit this zoo! I have been to the Netherlands many times and never heard of this zoo, so defiantly next visit, hopefully mid next year.

I wonder. If this exhibit us suitable to other primaries or would most other primates just jump down!

Are Orangutans known for jumping not just brachiating, I have never considered this but I have never seen a orangutan jump! So maybe they are the only primate suited to this particular format/height of barrier in a enclosure?

I have been searching for better images without luck.