Seems a bit of a funny species to house in there! I would have thought that they would have put some other type of small primate in there, or something that likes climbing.
By the looks of it, even though this area is lower and smaller, Rajang probably had many more climbing opportunities in this cage than he does in the new enclosure. The new exhibit, to me, looks too narrow to allow for any real climbing and brachiating. This area does look tiny, but I think if it had been made taller and had more ropes in there he possibly would have been better off staying put. Basically, it looks like this enclosure gives more climbing potential than the new one does, which is what Orangs really need.
Seems a bit of a funny species to house in there! I would have thought that they would have put some other type of small primate in there, or something that likes climbing.
These species are only being kept in their temporarily as their previous enclosure has now been demolished to make way for a new Banded Mongoose enclosure. This one will also be demolished later in the year for the Tropical house, not sure where the birds will go after this though??
It had plenty of ropes if I remember rightly- they've been removed since the orangs left the enclosure and these storks have replaced them. Rajang and Djambe used to sit up in the box shelter together though Rajang was often down at the windows too.
I actually PREFER this smaller outside area to the design of the new obviously larger outdoor one!! But their old inside area was just a dismal dark 'den' at the back. So overall the new enclosure is much better- at least the indoor area which looks fine, roomy with plenty of climbing facilties, so a huge improvement on what they had before. The awful design of the outdoors is still what spoils it overall though.
I must confess I haven't been to Colchester for while now, the new OF was being built when I last went I have to say I never saw either of the Orangs doing anything but sit around either inside the den or in the outer area. Rajang used to sit up at the glass and I used to show him my damaged little finger he always tried to kiss it that used to make me smile and still does.
I wonder what the forest looks like now? i must try to get along there it's only 10 mins up the road after all.
Dean
