Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo News - Including New Orangutan!

Yes, on reflection, I think you're both probably right about the greater risk to Tiga, who is so much smaller than Rajang. I think I'm sometimes guilty of anthropomorphising Rajang, who I (and others) tend to think of as this lovable, gentle giant character, who we 'know', who 'potters about' his enclosure and obliges his legion of adoring fans by 'kissing' the glass in front of them - but of course he's actually a hugely powerful and strong animal.

So thanks for the reality check !
 
Gigit said:
I would be more concerned for Tiga than Rajang if things went wrong.
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Yes. And don't forget the story I mentioned above of what happened to 7 year old male Sumatran 'Wirawan' when he was introduced to a strange group at La Boissiere.
 
GillP said:
I think I'm sometimes guilty of anthropomorphising Rajang, who I (and others) tend to think of as this lovable, gentle giant character- but of course he's actually a hugely powerful and strong animal.
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Absolutely, and a potentially dangerous one too.
 
Pertinax said:
Yes. And don't forget the story I mentioned above of what happened to 7 year old male Sumatran 'Wirawan' when he was introduced to a strange group at La Boissiere.
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I'm glad you mentioned him because I've wondered why my data shows the poor little chap's death just 2 months after his move from Jersey :(
 
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I do hope that Tiga remains separate from Rajang. I wish for a young sexually mature female for Tiga (and thus assembling a true breeding pair without the hybrid issue interfering once more).

Given the intentions at Colchester, I find it sad that for Rajang's sake - even though I do not care much about the hybrids, they do require an great ape-worthy zoo enclosure and ability to live out their natural life - that no third orang enclosure was incorporated into the Colchester Orang House (I find that somewhat incongruous and debatable).
 
Gigit said:
I'm glad you mentiond him because I've wondered why my data shows the poor little chap's death just 2 months after his move from Jersey :(
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Jersey were very annoyed that he was introduced too rapidly but I am not sure how possible it would have been to integrate him into a group containing an adult male anyway so, maybe Jersey shouldn't have agreed to let him go. It was a sad and needless loss after seven years of careful rearing at Jersey.

Fortunately 'Wirawan's mother Julitta(ex Bristol) has had another baby(female) since and they both now live in Amneville in France.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Given the intentions at Colchester, I find it sad that for Rajang's sake - even though I do not care much about the hybrids, they do require an great ape-worthy zoo enclosure and ability to live out their natural life - that no third orang enclosure was incorporated into the Colchester Orang House (I find that somewhat incongruous and debatable).
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Its strange they did not design the enclosure more to fit with their current requirements .i.e. to hold one adult hybrid male(or pair) plus potentially other younger breeding animals which need seperate accomodation from him. I can only presume it was because of one main issue- COST.
 
new orangutan exhibit at Amneville Zoo

Anyone who has viewed Colchester's new 'Orangutan Forest' with dismay should have a look at pictures or the video of Amneville Zoo's new Orangutan exhibit opened in 2007.(type in Amneville Zoo and you will should find a video interview about the enclosure)
It is a veritable Palace compared to Colchester's effort, both the inside and outdoor exhibits are extremely roomy with lots of climbing equipment and absolutely NO sign of any tasteless fake rockwork. ;) The enclosures also seem to allow for mixing Short-clawed Otters and/or Siamang gibbons with the Orangs too.

The outside has been designed initially as two enclosures which can be turned into one larger one by removing the dividing fence depending on the needs of grouping the animals- a sensible plan which is lacking at Colchester.

Sumatran mother & daughter, Julitta and Putri (and the 11 year old male which has joined them) are indeed fortunate to be living here I think- its even better than their former home at Jersey.

How come Colchester's effort is so poor by comparison?:mad:
 
This is just a thought but could Tiga live in the wilds of asia building until Rajang sadly passes. I know that this is extremely unlikely as they are planning on starting the tropical house on the site in autumn and also unfair on Tiga to be put in such a small exhibit compared to Orangutan forest and probably his current accomodation at Twycross (although I have not seen it)
 
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Roz said:
This is just a thought but could Tiga live in the wilds of asia building until Rajang sadly passes.
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I think that enclosure has been remodelled- also the idea is to provide Rajang with company- even if has to be indirect contact only.
 
Pertinax said:
Anyone who has viewed Colchester's new 'Orangutan Forest' with dismay should have a look at pictures or the video of Amneville Zoo's new Orangutan exhibit opened in 2007.(type in Amneville Zoo and you will should find a video interview about the enclosure)
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Sorry to be a pain Pertinax :o but I cannot find this video at all, (looked on the gallery, youtube, goodle videos etc) could you pretty please provide a link or elaborate as to where I could find this video?

Thanks a bunch Foz :D
 
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Pertinax said:
I think that enclosure has been remodelled- also the idea is to provide Rajang with company- even if has to be indirect contact only.
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The enclosure hasn't really been remodelled it has only had cargo nets and ropes removed, now housing yellow billed storks. But yes I suppose that is the idea to provide rajang with contact even if it is indirect.
 
yes that's the link.

I like the inside quarters a lot, tall, light and airy with plenty of climbing equipment and I agree a little like Paignton's(but better?) The outside looks rather bare but I suspect that is because it was very new when this was filmed.
 
Yes, I agree with both those points.
 
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