Orangutan Forest outdoor exhibit at Colchester Zoo, 14 February 2009

I'm sure Paignton's orangutans would turn their noses up at this. As others have said 'where's the forest?'.

After years of waiting this is it?
Cant it be as impressive as the indoor? - it really is more of a pit im sure all of us together we could of designed something better .
But if The Orang(s) like it then we cant complain then again it is of the most part for him.
Viewing must be tricky for small children?
It looks okay but not thought out very well.............Hopefully like Londons Gorilla Kingdom it will mature well with some trees and long grass etc

Riziki said:

It looks okay but not thought out very well.............Hopefully like Londons Gorilla Kingdom it will mature well with some trees and long grass etc

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Am sorry but they havn't even tried to plant the outdoors at all, to me this is just like the indoors, except they forgot to put a roof on!

Riziki said:

But if The Orang(s) like it then we cant complain then again it is of the most part for him.

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There is plenty of examples where an Orangutan is in terrible housing but they happily breed and are in good health but doesn't mean we should conitue these awlful enclosures. Chesters old orangutan house, Twycross current house are two examples that are still in use today.

I agree if the orangs like it we cant complain

Riziki said:

I agree if the orangs like it we cant complain

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Actually I mean't just because the Orangutans are happy in the enclosure doesn't mean we should still build them. We should be trying to improve their lives.

I agree with you we should have the lives of animals spent in zoos the best they can be.

How will we know for sure if the orangutan/s do like it and what happens if they don't? You'd think Rajang would appreciate more space after what he's been used to, but he may feel a bit lost having a change after all this time. An orangutan coming from a zoo with greenery and different climbing opportunities could be less impressed.

Dreadful enclosure. Looks like something Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock drew up on the back of a *** packet - and then forgot the plants.

Riziki said:

I agree if the orangs like it we cant complain

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Its just a thought but how can you ever know if an Orangutan 'likes' an enclosure or not? It has to live in it whatever and it will use whatever is available regarding space and climbing structures but I don't think there's anyway of knowing whether it likes the enclosure or is contented in it or not. Breeding isn't a sign either- many species will breed under very restricted/cramped/ inadequate housing.

Is it just the colours as we all know "pink and green should never be seen" Seriously l think if more thought went into the colour scheme here. There would be less debate.

Given a choice would any primate choose captivity over there natural enviroment????? Would they understand the consequences of either choice?

Its a shame that as soon as we start to observe them. There behaviour changes. WE will probably never know.