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Hybrid Orangutans in North America

Discussion in 'United States' started by Wild wolverine, 15 Jan 2019.

  1. Wild wolverine

    Wild wolverine Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Milwaukee, WI
    Years ago while visiting my home zoo (Milwaukee County) I remember having a discussion with a zookeeper about how hybrid orangutans (bred from one sumatran and one bornean) are to be phased-out so that each species' genes can be pure.
    Milwaukee has 1 hybrid orangutan, Tommy, who is getting up there in age. I'm curious to know if anyone knows of any other, or about how many, hybrid orangs there are left across the country or the world?
     
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  2. SharkFinatic

    SharkFinatic Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    The Smithsonian National Zoo has 4: Lucy, Bonnie, Iris, and Kiko.
     
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  3. Mo Hassan

    Mo Hassan Well-Known Member Premium Member 5+ year member

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  4. birdsandbats

    birdsandbats Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Racine has one.
     
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  5. MagpieGoose

    MagpieGoose Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    There are just above 80 hybrid Orangutans in North American zoos, with the most recent one being born in 2015. Compared to Europe, which currently has 19 hybrid Orangutan, with the last surviving one being born in 1996, and non currently in breeding positions, unlike the North American population.
     
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  6. Pertinax

    Pertinax Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    There's a Primate/Orangutan sanctuary in Florida(?) that has a large number of hybrids, including several adult males.

    Orangutan studbooks list the hybrids though you may have a long search through the lists to pick them all out.
     
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