Sadly, there are tons of orangutan exhibits like this across the country, and maybe a dozen good ones, and no outstanding ones. They might just be the most difficult (non marine) mammals to exhibit. I am not defending this however, as it looks even worse than Kansas City's. But its a small zoo, and the orangutans a probably well cared for, which is the most importanat thing.
Bornean Orangutans. Some information about them (from the website):
The orangutans at our Zoo are named Kumang, Dara and Datu. Kumang is the mother of Dara and Datu. Kumang was born in England and came here in 1991. Her daughter, Dara, was born in 1999. Dara was a genetically significant birth because her father, Jiggs, was born in the wild. Datu was born here at the Seneca Park Zoo in 2004.
I won't defend the exhibit because I know it's bad. For all the primates. Even zoo employees want the main building (where they are) to be bulldozer over. They are the only Bornean Orangutans in NY state. And I feel they do get very good care at the zoo. I've seen the vet work with the all the primates, training them with positive reinforcement. He just lights up and he's very playful. Dara, the daughter, is a favorite of mine. She's always blowing raspberries to get attention or to show she wants food. She also likes to put herself in unladylike positions with her legs wide open for visitors. They used to have an adult male orangutan, Lowell, but he passed away a few years ago. The other primates are all quite old and I hope the zoo has many years with them still.
Where are the best orang exhibits in the country in your view, and what are the essential components of a good orang exhibit? Is there any zoo in the world that has built what you would consider an outstanding exhibit?
The "O-Line" at the National Zoo seems innovative. I'm curious if people see this as a good exhibit in terms of functionality in allowing natural orang behavior.
I've stated on ZooChat in the past that perhaps the #1 enclosure is in Seattle at Woodland Park Zoo but after that there are slim pickings. The "O-Line" at the National Zoo is fantastic, but the rest of the enclosure is weak. There are many so-so exhibits, several all-indoor ones that are disappointing (Cleveland, Brookfield, Fort Wayne) and the ugliest outdoor one of all must be Kansas City.
These are very approximate rankings and what I would call the top 5 orangutan exhibits:
#1: Woodland Park
#2: Omaha (65 foot structures and lots of netting in 2 exhibits)
#3: Sedgwick County
#4: Saint Louis
#5: Atlanta (probably still the most apes of any zoo in North America)
There is some good news on the horizon for the Orangutans and the zoo, Awhile back they had a master plan for a complete renovations of the zoo. The first phases included the Genesee Trail and Polar Coasts, The next phase; A Step into Africa will be finished next year with the addition of lions. They also mentioned at one time of a new Asian Expansion for the Orangutans and Tigers.
Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, TX, has a superb new orang exhibit, the best I have seen. San Diego and Omaha also have nice exhibits, with siamangs housed with the orangs, but neither are as nice as Waco's.
Don't forget Denver's Orang Exhibit. I have only seen it a couple times and always amazed at the exhibit.
If I remember correctly, Rolling Hills Wildlife Park in Salina, Ks has a decent Orang exhibit. It has some good Height to it, but the cage has a top cover so there isn't natural trees to climb on.
I'll be curious if and when they update the primate/ape exhibits. I know a couple people who work at the zoo even think the main building (where this exhibit comes off from) should be bulldozered over. But it's an issue of time and money. Besides the horrible primate/ape exhibits, the zoo has done a good job updated other exhibits in the main building.
