Bornean or Sumatran orangutans

Orangutans?

  • Total voters
    42
Maybe I'm missing the point, but why would anyone prefer a hybrid of what are after all very similar [sub-?] species?
Let's face it, all Orangutans are wonderful creatures, and it's a privilege to share the planet with them
 
Moebelle said:
Which orangutan species do you prefer at your zoo most?
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Sumatran orangs are few and far between in the UK nowadays, for no particular reason, it has just happened that way, but I much prefer this species to the Bornean, as it is far more active in captivity, so it makes a more interesting exhibit and seems less 'out of place' in a zoo setting, than the more phlegmatic and rather inactive Borneans do.
 
Pertinax said:
Sumatran orangs are few and far between in the UK nowadays, for no particular reason, it has just happened that way, but I much prefer this species to the Bornean, as it is far more active in captivity, so it makes a more interesting exhibit and seems less 'out of place' in a zoo setting, than the more phlegmatic and rather inactive Borneans do.
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I did the Primate Keeper Day at Chester mainly for the Sumatrans but on the day the Bornean charm won me over!
 
I have to say Sumatran for me too, Pertinax has listed all my reasons (Above). I have only seen Sumatrans at Chester as only Jersey and them hold them in the UK at present (If you class them the UK). Monkey World currently has 1.0 ('Silvestre') from Santillana. The Sumatrans are most active at Chester, I have seen Borneans at Chester, Blackpool and Paignton and can honestly say that the Sumatrans are more active than the most inactive Borneans.
 
Jordan-Jaguar97 said:
can honestly say that the Sumatrans are more active than the most inactive Borneans.
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The average Bornean is more active than the most inactive Borneans as it happens! ;)

I'd never diss the Sumatrans because I really like them too but some of my best friends are Borneans!
 
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OrangePerson said:
The average Bornean is more active than the most inactive Borneans as it happens! ;)

I'd never diss the Sumatrans because I really like them too but some of my best friends are Borneans!
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My favourite Borneans are;

Victoria, Raman, Cherie, Summer and Martha. I like the Blackpool four as they all have their own personalities as you'd expect. Raman the male is quite laid backed however, he is very scared and defensive towards the adult female 'Victoria'. Victoria is the boss of the group as she is the mother of Cherie and Summer. I have heard reports that if either of her daughters go anywhere near the water Victoria starts to scream and move them away. It is because of the male 'Beau' died from falling into the moat and getting hypothermia.

Martha is my favourite Bornean as I have seen her on some occasions caring for 'Iznee' and 'Latifah'. Always gets me how Martha lives with her offspring and their offspring, as in the wild females will live with a youngster for about six to eight years and Leia and Sariekei are about sixteen and twenty nine (?) respectively.
 
I think orangutans pay dividends if you invest time in getting to know them but for the casual passer-by they can be a disappointment.
 
No contest! Sumatrans win hands down every time for me. However in the UK we are completely starved of them nowadays if you don't happen to live near Chester or in Jersey:( I wish a few more zoos here would take them up- numerically they are much the rarer of the two species in the wild (but not in European Zoos, so are no harder to acquire) and IMO they make a far superior display due to their higher activity levels.
 
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