Bornean Orangutan

Phoenix Zoo - January 2010

Questions:

1- Is there a definite schedule for construction on the new, long-awaited exhibit?
2- If the new orangutan exhibit is developed from the existing area, how will the zoo showcase orangs while construction is going on? Are there any plans to shift the apes to another zoo?

Here is what I know.... may not be a lot.

1. I believe they're taking bids. If they come back good, they'll break ground this year, opening late next year.

2. The exhibit is being built in phases. Don't quote me on this, but I don't think the apes are leaving the zoo. I think the new night house will be finished before the current exhibit is raised. Whether they will be on show or not, I have no idea.

This reminds me of the Chimpanzee exhibit at the Sacramento Zoo. Maybe they had the same designer. See the Sacramento Gallery Chimpanzee photos.

Is that a full dome covering the exhibit, or just a partial for shade? I take it the orangs can't climb on it?

Ituri said:

before the current exhibit is raised.

Click to expand...

I think you mean "razed".

It's a shade dome. The orangs do not have access to it.

Yes I did mean razed... see what it happens when I post on Zoochat when I should be sleeping.

This particular exhibit, long since demolished, was built in 1975 and beneath the geodesic dome there was 2,800 square feet of space for the apes. A year before, Phoenix Zoo opened a gorilla exhibit that was 2,400 square feet in size.