Australasian Orangutan Population

[ApeLadyNZ]

Thank you for this update. I’m excited to hear Daya has FINALLY been taken off contraception. She didn’t look even remotely pregnant when I saw her earlier this month, so I’d anticipate that best case scenario, she’ll deliver her first infant next year. Irregardless of whether Melur breeds, it’ll be exciting to have an infant and a juvenile in Auckland’s colony for the first time in decades.

On the subject of Melur breeding again, I find the staff tend to exaggerate the birth interval of this species. Indra’s offspring were born five years apart and this is a completely achievable birth internal for this species. While the mother’s focus goes to her newborn, the juvenile takes on a satellite role to the mother until it reaches eight to nine years of age.

Whether Auckland will take proactive steps to prevent Melur from breeding again (i.e. by placing her on contraception) I don’t know; but she could theoretically conceive as early as next year herself.

Daya didn't appear to be pregnant when I saw her today, and I'm not even sure if she is actually mating with Charlie unless it has happened behind the scenes, but things are definitely looking up and I am hoping for a 2026 infant.

And I agree with you about the birth intervals. There have been numerous examples of orangutan mothers giving birth 5-6 years after producing an infant, and having a satellite juvenile, as you've mentioned. If I'm not mistaken, Daya is only 5 or 6 years older than her brother Sabar and seeing him raised and being used to infants and their antics was part of the reason Daya was considered desirable in terms of personality for Auckland Zoo.

I don't think staff intend for Melur to be put on contraception, and probably intend for Melur's preoccupation with Bahmi and Charlie's pursuit of Daya to aid in Melur not conceiving again. But sometimes, infants have resulted without being planned - there was a case in the UK where a mother conceived again although her juvenile was only 3!

 

[Zoofan15]

Daya didn't appear to be pregnant when I saw her today, and I'm not even sure if she is actually mating with Charlie unless it has happened behind the scenes, but things are definitely looking up and I am hoping for a 2026 infant.

And I agree with you about the birth intervals. There have been numerous examples of orangutan mothers giving birth 5-6 years after producing an infant, and having a satellite juvenile, as you've mentioned. If I'm not mistaken, Daya is only 5 or 6 years older than her brother Sabar and seeing him raised and being used to infants and their antics was part of the reason Daya was considered desirable in terms of personality for Auckland Zoo.

I don't think staff intend for Melur to be put on contraception, and probably intend for Melur's preoccupation with Bahmi and Charlie's pursuit of Daya to aid in Melur not conceiving again. But sometimes, infants have resulted without being planned - there was a case in the UK where a mother conceived again although her juvenile was only 3!

Horst successfully impregnated both Indra and Dara within two months of each other in 1989, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Daya failed to divert attention away from Melur when she’s ovulating. A study on Perth’s orangutans detailed high interest from the male when the female was cycling; but avoidance behaviour when the female ceased cycling. While Auckland can maintain an amicable colony without or without females cycling; it’s likely that when they are, Charlie would actively pursue them.

On the subject of Auckland’s amicable colony, having a gentle adult male; a ratio of 1.2 adults; and space for any individual to seek privacy has paid dividends. Rotating two adolescent/young adult males with the female group in the 1990’s meant the males were highly motivated to breed and Indra in particular found their attentions overwhelming.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Horst successfully impregnated both Indra and Dara within two months of each other in 1989, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Daya failed to divert attention away from Melur when she’s ovulating. A study on Perth’s orangutans detailed high interest from the male when the female was cycling; but avoidance behaviour when the female ceased cycling. While Auckland can maintain an amicable colony without or without females cycling; it’s likely that when they are, Charlie would actively pursue them.

On the subject of Auckland’s amicable colony, having a gentle adult male; a ratio of 1.2 adults; and space for any individual to seek privacy has paid dividends. Rotating two adolescent/young adult males with the female group in the 1990’s meant the males were highly motivated to breed and Indra in particular found their attentions overwhelming.

Auckland's current arrangement for the orangutans certainly seems much better than what they had in the past. And if Charlie manages to impregnate Daya, it's possible he could also impregnate Melur, although Melur doesn't seem currently all that welcoming to Charlie's attentions, often growling and snarling at him - although a lot of this may be protectiveness towards Bahmi which will no doubt ease off as he grows.

Speaking of Bahmi, I've noticed that Melur is becoming more likely to put a stop to any behaviour from him that she finds too undesirable. This afternoon, Bahmi was wildly swinging the furthest nesting basket into one of the poles and making an almighty racket. Melur swooped over, got into the basket and picked up Bahmi to start grooming him.

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland's current arrangement for the orangutans certainly seems much better than what they had in the past. And if Charlie manages to impregnate Daya, it's possible he could also impregnate Melur, although Melur doesn't seem currently all that welcoming to Charlie's attentions, often growling and snarling at him - although a lot of this may be protectiveness towards Bahmi which will no doubt ease off as he grows.

Speaking of Bahmi, I've noticed that Melur is becoming more likely to put a stop to any behaviour from him that she finds too undesirable. This afternoon, Bahmi was wildly swinging the furthest nesting basket into one of the poles and making an almighty racket. Melur swooped over, got into the basket and picked up Bahmi to start grooming him.

It would have been fascinating to have seen how the colony would have evolved if Auckland Zoo had gone with their original (1985) design for Orangutan Park:


Source: Auckland Zoo

My assumption has always been that they would have split the 2.2 founders into pairs (Horst and Indra; Charlie and Dara); but since having a minimum of two females to every male alleviates pressure on the female, I wonder if they would have alternatively explored one of these options:

1) Stuck with the rotation system (albeit with the non-access male having an outdoor exhibit).

2) Brought in more females to house two groups of 1.2 orangutans.

3) Increased breeding in the hope daughters could increase the ratio of males to females (daughters of Horst/Dara would be unrelated to Charlie).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

It would have been fascinating to have seen how the colony would have evolved if Auckland Zoo had gone with their original (1985) design for Orangutan Park:

View attachment 817167
Source: Auckland Zoo

My assumption has always been that they would have split the 2.2 founders into pairs (Horst and Indra; Charlie and Dara); but since having a minimum of two females to every male alleviates pressure on the female, I wonder if they would have alternatively explored one of these options:

1) Stuck with the rotation system (albeit with the non-access male having an outdoor exhibit).

2) Brought in more females to house two groups of 1.2 orangutans.

3) Increased breeding in the hope daughters could increase the ratio of males to females (daughters of Horst/Dara would be unrelated to Charlie).

It would have been indeed fascinating to see the original idea for Orangutan Park realised (although the current habitat is superior even to that, Orangutan Park would have been novel and revolutionary for the times).

Personally, I think they were hoping to build 2 colonies around Horst/Indra and Charlie/Dara - if each of the pairs produced a daughter, all they would have to do is swap the daughters over when they reach an appropriate age for breeding (presuming that all orangutans proved to be compatible with one another!

If importation became necessary - let's say, Melur, Gangsa and Wanita were still brought over in this scenario - Gangsa could have been housed with Charlie and Dara, and Melur and Wanita with Horst and Indra.

 

[Zoofan15]

It would have been indeed fascinating to see the original idea for Orangutan Park realised (although the current habitat is superior even to that, Orangutan Park would have been novel and revolutionary for the times).

Personally, I think they were hoping to build 2 colonies around Horst/Indra and Charlie/Dara - if each of the pairs produced a daughter, all they would have to do is swap the daughters over when they reach an appropriate age for breeding (presuming that all orangutans proved to be compatible with one another!

If importation became necessary - let's say, Melur, Gangsa and Wanita were still brought over in this scenario - Gangsa could have been housed with Charlie and Dara, and Melur and Wanita with Horst and Indra.

That does sound likely. It was around this time that zoos like Perth began to acknowledge orangutans lived a semi-social/solitary lifestyle in the design of their exhibits and this may have influenced Auckland’s decision to house them in pairs (or trios with the addition of a second female to each group).

All four orangutans (Dara, Horst, Indra and Charlie) got on well as juveniles but conflict between the males was inevitable and they may have been conscious that Dara and Indra could have fallen out as they matured. Instead, Indra and Dara remained on good terms up until Dara’s death (when they were 20 and 23 years), which may have been assisted by the size of the exhibit (reducing conflict).

Horst and Dara were half-siblings, which is why I proposed the initial pairings of Horst/Indra and Charlie/Dara. Horst sired infants to both females in 1989; but due to Charlie being three years younger than Horst, it’s likely he and Dara wouldn’t have produced their first infant until 1992-1993.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

That does sound likely. It was around this time that zoos like Perth began to acknowledge orangutans lived a semi-social/solitary lifestyle in the design of their exhibits and this may have influenced Auckland’s decision to house them in pairs (or trios with the addition of a second female to each group).

All four orangutans (Dara, Horst, Indra and Charlie) got on well as juveniles but conflict between the males was inevitable and they may have been conscious that Dara and Indra could have fallen out as they matured. Instead, Indra and Dara remained on good terms up until Dara’s death (when they were 20 and 23 years), which may have been assisted by the size of the exhibit (reducing conflict).

Horst and Dara were half-siblings, which is why I proposed the initial pairings of Horst/Indra and Charlie/Dara. Horst sired infants to both females in 1989; but due to Charlie being three years younger than Horst, it’s likely he and Dara wouldn’t have produced their first infant until 1992-1993.

Indeed - it was around this time I think that zoos were trying to replicate patterns in the wild among their animals, and at least they realised the necessity of separating adolescent and adult males from each other and that females were for the most part capable of co-existing and even bonding (barring occasional personality clashes, as with Gangsa later on).

Had Orangutan Park been brought into being, I could very well have seen Auckland retaining the pairings Horst and Indra and Charlie and Dara indefinitely and exporting any offspring (perhaps retaining and swapping over any early-born daughters while exporting sons).

 

[Zoofan15]

Indeed - it was around this time I think that zoos were trying to replicate patterns in the wild among their animals, and at least they realised the necessity of separating adolescent and adult males from each other and that females were for the most part capable of co-existing and even bonding (barring occasional personality clashes, as with Gangsa later on).

Had Orangutan Park been brought into being, I could very well have seen Auckland retaining the pairings Horst and Indra and Charlie and Dara indefinitely and exporting any offspring (perhaps retaining and swapping over any early-born daughters while exporting sons).

It’s possible the regional population could look very different today had this version of Auckland’s Orangutan Park gone ahead. They would have had the capacity to manage a larger number of orangutans enabling more regular breeding and could have easily supplied other zoos in the region with unrelated pairs/groups of young orangutans, including Taronga who went into Borneans the following decade.

On that note it’s interesting to note that a breeding recommendation was given for Dara to breed in 1999 (producing an infant the following year). Auckland already had three males on site and couldn’t have managed four long term (had Dara’s infant been male), suggesting there was a plan for at least one male to move on in 1999. I’m wondering if the plan was was for Isim to replace his half-brother Datuk (deceased 1998) at Taronga Zoo once he was eight years old; with that plan revised when Dara (and her new infant) died in 2000, which we know was the catalyst for Taronga sending their females to Auckland.

 

[Jambo]

I’m wondering if the plan was was for Isim to replace his half-brother Datuk (deceased 1998) at Taronga Zoo once he was eight years old; with that plan revised when Dara (and her new infant) died in 2000, which we know was the catalyst for Taronga sending their females to Auckland.

You might be on to something here! That would indeed make the most sense.

Dara's death was a catalyst in that it reduced Auckland's colony to just a single breeding female, and three males, so new females were obviously the priority, hence the Auckland import and the addition of Wanita (a hybrid), within that same import.

It would make sense for the region to elect to have all the Borneans at one facility. 'm assuming it would've been easier to house all at Auckland where there was the space to hold the colony and switch in/out orangutans from the different groups when needed.

 

[Zoofan15]

You might be on to something here! That would indeed make the most sense.

Dara's death was a catalyst in that it reduced Auckland's colony to just a single breeding female, and three males, so new females were obviously the priority, hence the Auckland import and the addition of Wanita (a hybrid), within that same import.

It would make sense for the region to elect to have all the Borneans at one facility. 'm assuming it would've been easier to house all at Auckland where there was the space to hold the colony and switch in/out orangutans from the different groups when needed.

Yes, Indra found the attentions of the males overwhelming once Dara passed and her then nine year old daughter provided little diversion at the time (both adult males were soley focussed on Indra). Bringing in additional females was certainly necessary.

The inclusion of Wanita was interesting as due to being a hybrid, she added no value to the colony in that sense (and soon proved a troublemaker). The Zoo implied the trio were ‘friends’ and I don’t doubt she had an amicable relationship with Melur/Gangsa while the latter two were adolescents; but as we know, this soured once they all reached adulthood. They initially added great value to the culture of the colony and Isim reportedly enjoyed playing with the new females.

On hindsight, I believe bringing over Melur and Gangsa alone would have been a better move.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

You might be on to something here! That would indeed make the most sense.

Dara's death was a catalyst in that it reduced Auckland's colony to just a single breeding female, and three males, so new females were obviously the priority, hence the Auckland import and the addition of Wanita (a hybrid), within that same import.

It would make sense for the region to elect to have all the Borneans at one facility. 'm assuming it would've been easier to house all at Auckland where there was the space to hold the colony and switch in/out orangutans from the different groups when needed.

Dara's death would have indeed been the catalyst. Also, that may have been partially behind the motivation for Taronga to phase out Bornean orangutans by exporting the females. Things could have easily gone very differently if Dara and Darli had lived - Auckland would have very likely replaced the late Datuk by sending Isim to Taronga to breed with Melur and Gangsa, and Darli may have possibly been retained, perhaps switching over Intan and Darli between exhibits when Darli matured.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Yes, Indra found the attentions of the males overwhelming once Dara passed and her then nine year old daughter provided little diversion at the time (both adult males were soley focussed on Indra). Bringing in additional females was certainly necessary.

The inclusion of Wanita was interesting as due to being a hybrid, she added no value to the colony in that sense (and soon proved a troublemaker). The Zoo implied the trio were ‘friends’ and I don’t doubt she had an amicable relationship with Melur/Gangsa while the latter two were adolescents; but as we know, this soured once they all reached adulthood. They initially added great value to the culture of the colony and Isim reportedly enjoyed playing with the new females.

On hindsight, I believe bringing over Melur and Gangsa alone would have been a better move.

There's some good points here. Perhaps Wanita should have been eventually housed with Willow and Jantan instead of being sent over with Melur and Gangsa.

If Auckland did indeed have the two Orangutan Park exhibit, the two females could have been separated and each housed with one of the males.

 

[Zoofan15]

Dara's death would have indeed been the catalyst. Also, that may have been partially behind the motivation for Taronga to phase out Bornean orangutans by exporting the females. Things could have easily gone very differently if Dara and Darli had lived - Auckland would have very likely replaced the late Datuk by sending Isim to Taronga to breed with Melur and Gangsa, and Darli may have possibly been retained, perhaps switching over Intan and Darli between exhibits when Darli matured.

It was also around that time (early 2000’s) that Auckland Zoo made the decision to phase out their chimpanzees. This of course enabled them to distribute their orangutan colony (which grew to nine with the birth of Madju) across two exhibits. Indra and Intan preferred Horst and Gangsa preferred Charlie, so these guided the initial groupings.

Then of course came the regrettable decision to phase out Borneans which was fortunately reversed (but not before six Borneans were exported to the US).

Had Dara/Darli lived, I believe Taronga would have retained their Bornean females (and imported Isim), leading to greater regional support and reducing the likelihood Auckland would have considered switching to Sumatrans.

It’s interesting to compare nonetheless that Sumatrans, despite being held across four holders, number 14 orangutans with no successful births in 13 years. Auckland are the only holder of Borneans, but will hopefully welcome their second infant in four years next year.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

It was also around that time (early 2000’s) that Auckland Zoo made the decision to phase out their chimpanzees. This of course enabled them to distribute their orangutan colony (which grew to nine with the birth of Madju) across two exhibits. Indra and Intan preferred Horst and Gangsa preferred Charlie, so these guided the initial groupings.

Then of course came the regrettable decision to phase out Borneans which was fortunately reversed (but not before six Borneans were exported to the US).

Had Dara/Darli lived, I believe Taronga would have retained their Bornean females (and imported Isim), leading to greater regional support and reducing the likelihood Auckland would have considered switching to Sumatrans.

It’s interesting to compare nonetheless that Sumatrans, despite being held across four holders, number 14 orangutans with no successful births in 13 years. Auckland are the only holder of Borneans, but will hopefully welcome their second infant in four years next year.

Although I still miss the chimps being at Auckland Zoo, the decision to focus on orangutans did make sense. I do agree with you, however, that the decision to phase out Borneans was ill-considered, especially with Borneans becoming recognised as critically endangered within a fairly short time of that decision.

I do recall there being talk of Orana Park possibly taking on Jantan and Willow there, since there were not Sumatran orangutans available to set up the longed-for breeding programme, and the intention was for Wanita to join them there. But this never panned out, with Wanita remaining at Auckland and Jantan and Willow transferring to Mogo Zoo (where they are currently off display, I believe?)

Yes, it's interesting that there have been no Sumatran births in Australia in quite a long time. I remember talk of Perth Zoo upgrading their facilities which led to the breeding programme being put on hold, and I think you also mentioned one of the proposed breeding pairs being incompatible with each other, if I'm not mistaken?

 

[Zoofan15]

I do recall there being talk of Orana Park possibly taking on Jantan and Willow there, since there were not Sumatran orangutans available to set up the longed-for breeding programme, and the intention was for Wanita to join them there. But this never panned out, with Wanita remaining at Auckland and Jantan and Willow transferring to Mogo Zoo (where they are currently off display, I believe?)

Yes, it's interesting that there have been no Sumatran births in Australia in quite a long time. I remember talk of Perth Zoo upgrading their facilities which led to the breeding programme being put on hold, and I think you also mentioned one of the proposed breeding pairs being incompatible with each other, if I'm not mistaken?

Orana publicly stated plans to acquire Sumatran orangutans and never deviated from that (with regards to Borneans or hybrids). I know a number of us speculated at the time that they could become the designated holder for hybrids, but it was never officially the plan to my knowledge. It would have made a lot of sense though!

Yes, you’re correct that Perth are on breeding hiatus until the new facilities are completed. Hopefully this won’t be too far away. I believe you’re referring to the incompatibility between Adelaide’s female Puspa (born at Perth) and Adelaide’s male Kluet. They’ve proved incompatible, despite Kluet being strongly bonded to the previous female. From what I’ve heard (even at Perth) Puspa has been an antisocial female.

There was talking of Kluet transferring to Perth for breeding, which may eventuate when breeding resumes. He’s a match for any of their females, four of which are reproductively viable:

0.1 Sekara (20/07/1990) Hsing Hsing x Puspa
0.1 Pulang (21/12/1993) Atjeh x Puan
0.1 Teliti (20/10/2009) Hsing Hsing x Puteri
0.1 Lestari (09/01/2012) Hsing Hsing x Pulang

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Orana publicly stated plans to acquire Sumatran orangutans and never deviated from that (with regards to Borneans or hybrids). I know a number of us speculated at the time that they could become the designated holder for hybrids, but it was never officially the plan to my knowledge. It would have made a lot of sense though!

Yes, you’re correct that Perth are on breeding hiatus until the new facilities are completed. Hopefully this won’t be too far away. I believe you’re referring to the incompatibility between Adelaide’s female Puspa (born at Perth) and Adelaide’s male Kluet. They’ve proved incompatible, despite Kluet being strongly bonded to the previous female. From what I’ve heard (even at Perth) Puspa has been an antisocial female.

There was talking of Kluet transferring to Perth for breeding, which may eventuate when breeding resumes. He’s a match for any of their females, four of which are reproductively viable:

0.1 Sekara (20/07/1990) Hsing Hsing x Puspa
0.1 Pulang (21/12/1993) Atjeh x Puan
0.1 Teliti (20/10/2009) Hsing Hsing x Puteri
0.1 Lestari (09/01/2012) Hsing Hsing x Pulang

Thanks for clearing that up about the hybrids! I agree it would have made sense for Orana to hold hybrids, although that definitely won't occur now, and with a siamang colony now being house opposite the gorillas, it's unsure whether they will continue with trying to source Sumatran orangutans at all. And yes, it probably was Kluet and Puspa I was thinking of (although wouldn't Puspa likely be post-reproductive at this point, and already has successfully produced offspring in the past?)

I remember there being talk of Kluet being transferred to Perth, or perhaps one or two of the Perth females being transferred to Adelaide at one point, but I am not sure when they were intending for that to happen (probably when Perth's upgrades are finally completed!)

 

[Zorro]

I believe the biggest weakness with the captive Orang population in the region is the lack of holders, I really hope one day perhaps when young Robert is a grown man they could also become another holder of them they certainly have a wonderful climate to have a wonderful tropical rainforest setting!

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I believe the biggest weakness with the captive Orang population in the region is the lack of holders, I really hope one day perhaps when young Robert is a grown man they could also become another holder of them they certainly have a wonderful climate to have a wonderful tropical rainforest setting!

I agree with this. I think it was part of Steve Irwin's dream to eventually hold great apes at Australia Zoo, particularly orangutans and gorillas, but this never happened. A second holder for Bornean orangutans in the region, I believe, is sorely needed, and Australia Zoo would be a great place for them. There are currently no primate species other than ring-tailed lemurs at Australia Zoo!

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for clearing that up about the hybrids! I agree it would have made sense for Orana to hold hybrids, although that definitely won't occur now, and with a siamang colony now being house opposite the gorillas, it's unsure whether they will continue with trying to source Sumatran orangutans at all. And yes, it probably was Kluet and Puspa I was thinking of (although wouldn't Puspa likely be post-reproductive at this point, and already has successfully produced offspring in the past?)

I remember there being talk of Kluet being transferred to Perth, or perhaps one or two of the Perth females being transferred to Adelaide at one point, but I am not sure when they were intending for that to happen (probably when Perth's upgrades are finally completed!)

Puspa is 50 years old now, so well and truly past prime breeding age. She has one offspring, which is Sekara (born 1990 at Perth Zoo). Sekara in turn produced two offspring of her own (one surviving).

Any transfers are on hold until Perth’s new facility is up and running. Irregardless of whether Puspa is still alive by then, I’d anticipate a transfer of Kluet to Perth at that point. Depending on their plans, Adelaide may be content to remain a non-breeding holder, with the possibility of acquiring surplus from Perth’s colony. Sydney Zoo I assume will acquire Sungai from Perth once their elderly male passes. Sungai is related to all of Perth’s females, but is a match for Sydney’s females.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Puspa is 50 years old now, so well and truly past prime breeding age. She has one offspring, which is Sekara (born 1990 at Perth Zoo). Sekara in turn produced two offspring of her own (one surviving).

Any transfers are on hold until Perth’s new facility is up and running. Irregardless of whether Puspa is still alive by then, I’d anticipate a transfer of Kluet to Perth at that point. Depending on their plans, Adelaide may be content to remain a non-breeding holder, with the possibility of acquiring surplus from Perth’s colony. Sydney Zoo I assume will acquire Sungai from Perth once their elderly male passes. Sungai is related to all of Perth’s females, but is a match for Sydney’s females.

Thanks for clearing that up! It makes sense for Kluet to transfer to Perth when the upgrades are completed and for there to be a non-breeding zoo in the region, which Adelaide seems most likely to take on. Sydney Zoo also makes sense as a destination for Sungai.