The opening is planned for september 2012. 6 young Sumatran orang-utans (3,3 from Chester, Amneville, Berlin and Leipzig) will arrive at Basel, the former breeding group will stay at Gelsenkirchen.
How many will leave from Chester will it be 'Utara' and 'Budi'? I think it maybe three pairs instead of an actual breeding group (I somehow cannot see that happening with a breeding group). I think the plan is to move Utara and Budi to Basel and mix them with other mates rather than keep them together. Their father 'Puluh' was imported from Perth and has sired about eight offspring including Budi and Utara. Their mothers Emma and Subis are also full sisters being hand raised at Chester.
Seems a bit unfair on the previous animals- all those years kept in the indoor area only and then they never get to see the new outdoor enclosures! I imagine they may be acquiring these younger animals because they want them to be very active and make full use of the new facilities.
The previous animals have a very good enclosure at Gelsenkirchen, a good choice to send them to Germany two years ago and leave them there.
That's fair enough then, they have had an outdoors(?) for two years longer than if they had stayed at Basel. Do you know whether the indoor Orangutan accomodation at Basel has been renovated (and in what way) as well as the outdoor enclosures being added?
An outdoor enclosure was added and looked very nice at fotos. The indoor enclosures has been renovated and enlarged.
I believe the new outdoor enclosures for Apes at Basel, according to the architect drawings, are large covered 'cages', not moated islands? They will give far more climbing area for the Orangutans, and the Gorillas will like the covered feel too- all species will have more space to utilise.
The new groups of Sumatran Orangs have now arrived and are as follows... Group one: Bagus - 10 year old male from Berlin Vendel - female from Amneville Revital - also from Amneville Group two: Budi - Male from Chester Kila - female from Leipzig Maia - female from Leipzig
How will the sumatran orangs be housed at Basel? Is there space for three seperate males? Inside and outside? Simultaneously?
New Indian rhino baby Great news, Indian rhino "Quetta" gave birth to a little boy on Sept 10, 2012. The little one was named "Jari", mommie and baby are doing very well. That's great, Quetta had a stillborn baby two years ago. Baby boy Jari
0.0.1 King Penguin hatched on 22nd July. It was followed by another on 22nd August and both are said to be doing well so far
New outdoor Ape cages were opened at the end of September. Basel website carries some information and a few publicity photos.
