Analysis of Perth Zoo’s orangutans Perth Zoo’s Sumatran orangutans form a family tree, starting with the founder, Puan (estimated to have been born 1953 in the wild). Puan had several offspring, including four daughters which bred at Perth Zoo, which make up the first generation. They are: -Puteri (1970) -Puspa (1975) -Punya (1981) -Pulang (1993) This generation has bred with Hsing Hsing (1975) to produce the second generation: -Puteri: Teliti (2009) -Puspa: Sekara (1990) -Punya: Negara (1993) -Pulang: Lestari (2012) This generation has bred with Dinar (1987) to produce the third generation: -Sekara: Sungai (2011) There are no options for breeding for the third generation (male or female) so previously, they have been exported: Semeru (2005) and Nyaru (2007). *Note: orangutans that are either no longer at Perth Zoo or have not contributed to the current family tree are not included. Assuming Perth Zoo wants to continue these four lines… Puteri (1970) is now post reproductive. Her daughter Teliti (2009) will need to stay at Perth Zoo to continue her line. Puspa (1975) now lives at Adelaide Zoo. Her daughter Sekara (1990) is continuing her line at Perth Zoo, but her grandson Sungai (2011) could be exported. Punya (1981) died in 2013. Her daughter Negara (1993) will need to stay at Perth Zoo to continue her line. Pulang (1993) is reproductive and has a daughter Lestari (2012). Either Pulang or Lestari could be exported and the other retained by Perth Zoo to continue this line. Options for export: Sungai (M11) Pulang (F93) Lestari (F12) Sungai (2011) is the only male available for export if Auckland or Orana Wildlife Park wish to import a male. While Sungai is third generation, and there has been a president of releasing this generation to the wild, Sungai is not overly represented worldwide and could be suitable as a breeding male in a couple of years if there are no better genetic options. Pulang (1993) is in my opinion the most suitable female for export to Auckland or Orana Wildlife Park. Her breeding partner is Hsing Hsing (1975), who is now 42 years of age and unlikely to live for much longer. Lestari (2012) could stay to continue Pulang’s line once she reaches maturity. The other factor to consider here, is Lestari’s mate would be Dinar (1987), currently 30 years of age. While it’s likely Dinar has several years ahead of him for breeding with Lestari, if Lestari was exported with the intention of Pulang producing another daughter to mate with Dinar, the next offspring may not be female, and either way will be over 30 years younger than Dinar (limited time for breeding once female reaches maturity). The only limiting factor of Pulang’s export is she can't be exported until Lestari is independent at around 6 years (2018). Therefore in my opinion, the two most suitable candidates for transfer to Auckland or Orana Wildlife Park (though obviously not to the same institution) are: Pulung (1993) Sungai (2011)
Genetically speaking, they are a single line as (I believe) these are four full sisters (Puan x Atjeh). Perth seem the obvious place for Adelaide to source another female from in order to replace Karta. Perth have so many orangs they seem to limit their breeding nowadays anyway so could no doubt spare a female to Adelaide. Kluet as the only recent male from outside the region, does need to breed.
Yes, they are indeed four sisters. I would have been more accurate referring to the lines as branches as they all descend from Puan. When I was last at Perth Zoo, a keeper said the advantage to having multiple females for breeding is that it provides infants and juveniles with same age playmates. The orangutans each live on separate islands which can be joined together to allow interaction and replicate the way females with offspring of the same age come together in the wild for a few days so their offspring can socialise. I’m guessing this is their reason for maintaining multiple breeding females which they don’t breed very often as oppose to holding a smaller number of breeding females that breed more frequently. It may be possible to still achieve this with three branches of Puan’s line as oppose to four like they are doing currently but the personality of the orangutans (especially how social they are) may restrict things if Perth reduces their colony to three branches. I think if they want to continue with four branches, the export of Pulang (and the retention of Lestari) is the best way to go, once Lestari is independent of Pulang of course. A week ago, I would have been certain of Pulang’s export to Auckland or Orana Wildlife Park as being the best option but Karta’s sudden and tragic demise has made me reconsider Adelaide as her best option (in my opinion of course).
Edit: Perth Zoo have just exported Punya’s daughter, Negara (1993), to the Oklahoma Zoo. This ends Punya’s branch and reduces Puan’s line to three branches at Perth Zoo. Thanks to soona for the update (see Great Apes thread for more info). Since this export was obviously planned before Karta’s death, it will be interesting to see if further orangutans are exported (to Adelaide, Auckland or Orana Wildlife Park). Does anyone know who holds the studbook? Do we have a regional coordinator who makes decisions or are we just part of the International Studbook?
Here is the confirmed feature article from the Oklahoma City Zoo thread. LINK: Oklahoma City Zoo welcomes new orangutan I assume this gives the ZAA Orang-Utan program a lifeline to AZA / SSP. Which in turn will make it more than likely that the Borneans from Auckland will all be eventually absorbed into the AZA / SSP.
This doesn't seem to happen in practise much as they breed them infrequently though obviously the 2011 and 2012 infants do fit this model. Perhaps they might loan a female to Adelaide to breed with Kluet, or will Adelaide have to get one from abroad otherwise.
While it's ideal to have infants born within a few months, the infants born 2005, 2007 and 2009 would probably have got some benefit from each other. When Auckland Zoo imported three females orangutans in 2001 (born 1979, 1988 and 1989), the young male, Isim (born 1994) was excited by their arrival and enjoyed playing with the two younger females. What's the chance of Puspa breeding in your opinion? She was 42 years old on Monday (and time is running out), but was the major setback her incompatability with Kluet? Maybe he will be more receptive with Karta gone?
I don't know why Puspa hasn't bred with Kluet, but she's been there a long time now so it seems unlikely, though as you say the dynamic might change now with no Karta with whom Kluet was strongly bonded. Male orangs certainly do have their individual preferences sometimes. Puspa has bred previously at Perth,(though just the once in 1990?) so physically, despite her advanced age there should be no problem.
Puspa and Kluet do not live together; I don't believe introductions have been successful in the past- though it's possible Kluet's strong bond with Karta played a role there. Puspa struggled to produce infants in Perth, so I would be surprised is it all comes together now. As of the moment, there hasn't been a recommendation to put Kluet and Puspa together. As far as the Adelaide orangutan situation goes, it's a case of waiting to allow Kluet to settle and for recommendations from the studbook keeper. I do think, as an outsider, that Kluey would do better with a companion. He used to follow Karta around like a puppy- absolutely adored her. He has a lovely nature, very sweet.
Quite likely the reason Puspa was sent to Adelaide, she was the most expendable... Some Sumatran males in captivity certainly have a favourite female, which they will live happily together with, while they will mate with another female but not live with her. Rotterdam Zoo had that situation in their 1950-60's colony. It seems the obvious solution for Kluet is another new partner in due course.
Yes, Puspa has only bred once, in 1990 at the age of 15 years. I'm not sure if there's a reason she never bred again at Perth (other than contraception) but as far as I'm aware she's been separated from Kluet and Karta for most or all of the time she's been at Adelaide? I suppose what Kluet does next will determine whether they mate or not. Hopefully with Karta sadly passed on, he will turn his interest towards Puspa before it's too late for her to breed.
Sorry to bump a conversation from the start of the year (hadn't read it until now). Puspa only bred once largely due to a lack of room at Perth. With five exhibits and time-sharing between individuals it would have been difficult for Perth to produce more young without exporting individuals. Given 4 females were born to the 4 breeding females over a small number of years, there was no immediate need to breed again (1990s). Since then some individuals have been moved away, died or new off-display enclosures built which has allowed more flexibility and new births. Of course one side effect of the management technique was that certain females would have massive interbirth intervals - Puspa being an example of this. Added to this was that in temperament she was particularly antisocial and had problems keeping weight on (anybody who has seen her would note she is a slight framed individual). Personally I don't think she was the right individual to be paired up with Kluet (knowing nothing about him). Basically Perth probably said to Adelaide 'sure we can give you a female' and gave them the 'probably' duff one. Actually Puspa was a really good mum - evidenced by the fact that Sekara has also been a good mum. As for why did Perth not breed more individuals and export them (which they were very willing to do)? The regional co-ordinator blocked Perth from over saturating the market. There was also a comment about mixing individuals between exhibits. Unfortunately this is rubbish. Yes the exhibits are interconnected via the inside dens, but apart from certain individuals who have been compatible - mums with grown up daughters or some males with females, there has never been widespread mixing. For a start the females are very defensive of their territories towards new comers. Bloodshed would occur. The design of the exhibits allows the various territories to be observed from the tops of the climbing frames 'allowing' connection between the individuals, without it getting physical. Sorry to derail a NZ thread with Perth orangs!
Thank you for that info @tetrapod. It doesn't sound like the Perth Zoo orangutans are very social, especially considering most are closely related. I'd heard Sumatran orangutans are more social than Bornean orangutans and Auckland Zoo used to keep a group of seven Borneans (five adult females, an adolescent male and a rotating adult male) together with only minor issues. The younger orangutans especially seemed to enjoy the social interaction. Perth Zoo would have had four options for exporting a female to Adelaide (as the others had dependent offspring): Puspa (1975) Punya (1981) Pulang (1993) Sekara (1990) Two of these bred shortly after Puspa's export in 2011, Sekara in late 2011 and Pulang in early 2012. Plans to breed these two females were likely already in place as arrangements were being made to send a female to Adelaide. This left: Puspa (1975) Punya (1981) Taking into consideration what you have said about Puspa, I'd suggest Punya would have been more desirable from Adelaide Zoo's perspective. Punya of course remained at Perth Zoo and died in 2013. Are Perth the species coordinators for the region? Do you know if Kluet and Puspa have been introduced, almost a year on from Karta's death?
The Perth management of orangs stems from the previous exhibits (now demolished under the elephant extension). I guessed it was a continuation of separate enclosures when the current building was constructed because PZ were already successfully breeding orangs. I do agree that the youngsters would benefit from social interction with their peers, but the current setup (and individuals) precludes this from happening. An unfortunate flaw in the system. I don't know why Puspa was chosen over Punya. PZ almost certainly were not planning to use either again for breeding. Puspa was definitely separate from Sekara by this point, so it possible that it was a best use of space policy. Maybe Punya was still housed with Negara? Interestingly Punya was the first completely mother-raised orang at PZ. PZ were not the studbook holders; I believe it was Taronga (and possibly still are). I know nothing about Adelaide's current arrangement re: orangs - sorry.
If there are space and accomodation issues why does Perth Zoo not release orang utans to other zoos in the Australasian realm (where they will have a chance to contribute their genes to the next generation)? MAYBE: It would be fitting to separate the discussion on orang utan away from just the Auckland Zoo orang thread into a / the (???) orang utan Australia / ZAA thread?!
I think this will happen more now additional holding facilities are going to be opening up eg. Auckland Zoo (if their orangutans remain at Orana Wildlife Park), maybe Taronga if they decide to go back into holiding orangutans (previously held hybrids).
I think in the master plan Taronga are looking at getting orangutans again, with the new “ape facility” coming after they build the new gorilla enclosure
This was not previously a decision that could be made by PZ. It came under the realm of the studbook keeper. I can see some point that swamping the Australasian region with PZ-bred orangs would make it difficult to maintain a wide genetic base. Also bear in mind that all current PZ orangs are offspring of the original Puan/Atjeh pairing, with the additional genetics of Hsing and Dinar. It would have helped if the orangs at Melbourne and Adelaide (prior to Karta's death) have contributed more to a balance in the Australian population.
