Update from the orangutan house
Animal news | 19 July 2024
The new orangutan house has now been open for one month and the response has been overwhelming! It’s wonderful to see how well our animals are settling in to their new home, and also how well it has been received by our visitors. Our keepers are gradually adapting to their new routine, and, most importantly, the animals are getting more and more accustomed to it. However, the acclimatisation period, especially for our orangutans, is not yet complete, as orangutans are very sensitive and cautious animals that set great store by safety.
Our three orangutans Toni, Daisy and Dalai have so far been familiarising themselves with the indoor enclosure. In the coming weeks, depending on how they get on, we will slowly introduce them to the outdoor enclosure as well. However, the animals will do this at their own pace and therefore we cannot plan when precisely it will happen. Toni and Dalai will probably be the first to explore the outdoor area. The Zoo’s management and animal care team work closely together to ensure that the acclimatisation process runs smoothly.
Djaka and Djudi, our more elderly females (they are over 50), are also expected to move from the old facility to the new orangutan house in August. Once they have gone, the old building will be closed and demolished.
Our three Aldabra giant tortoises can now be seen in the outdoor enclosure. The animals decide for themselves when to go into their indoor enclosure, and the warm nights mean they are staying outside at night too. The binturongs, a new species at the Zoo, are now ensconced in their indoor enclosure and will also be introduced to their outdoor enclosure for the first time in the next few weeks. Our two smooth-coated otters also clearly feel at home and have become real crowd favourites. Numerous photos and videos posted on social media show the two of them playing, swimming and diving ‒ a real highlight for our visitors!
Thank you to everyone for your support! We look forward to your next visit!