Bornean orangs will climb, obviously....But this is all a new phenomenum at Paignton- apparently introduced by the behaviour of Demo & Mali which the others have copied perhaps.Chinta like Bulu & Senja was a 'zoo cage' orang and may have had to 'learn' how to utilise trees while Gambira stayed close to Bulu who was ground-based. At long last this enclosure is really being used by the Orangs. it is certainly as natural as you could wish for- gets my vote for best in the UK(outdoors that is, the indoors is good but I would rank below Chester's)
do the keepers ever comment on the changed activity levels?
They reckon Chinta has lost weight due to being more active. Gambira mainly stays on the ground - eating. She's got short legs (possibly due to in-breeding?) which may make always having one limb grasping something more difficult.
They reckon Chinta has lost weight due to being more active. Gambira mainly stays on the ground - eating. She's got short legs (possibly due to in-breeding?) which may make always having one limb grasping something more difficult.
But have they noticed a big change in usage of the trees since the newcomers arrived? As you know, previously since the house was first opened I hardly ever saw an Orangutan go very far onto the big island (Nakal, once), let alone in the trees (never!)
I do reckon Gambira is a bit stunted looking, but I suspect being with ground living Bulu during her formative years is the main reason if she doesn't climb much. Now she is obese which makes it a sort of vicious circle....
There used to be a system of ropes and platforms on the large island which have either rotted away or been vandalised by the orangs and fallen down. So now, if they want to climb, they have to use the trees. Some of the lower shrubby trees have broken branches now. Demo was deliberately snapping some the other day and taking them indoors (with a leaflet on 'Raft Building' under his arm).
There used to be a system of ropes and platforms on the large island which have either rotted away or been vandalised by the orangs and fallen down. So now, if they want to climb, they have to use the trees.
I remember them. I used to see one or two Orangs using them but not go any further. So now they walk out to the main grove of tall trees at the far end?
I feel sure, as you said, it is all because they have Demo & Mali. 'Cagebound' and obese animals like Bulu and Senja(she was grossly obese) would never have done this. Its a shame they couldn't really adapt to all that freedom later in their lives.
They go as far as they can all round both islands.
I once saw Senja circumnavigating the large island, on foot, and being very reluctant to answer the keeper's calls to come in. Bulu's favourite spot was at the far end of that island, opposite the gibbon house with a view up to the bongos. I remember what must have been one of her early excursions from the ape house when Gambira was quite young. They were sitting just outside the lower door when a duck approached. Bulu broke a twig off a nearby shrub and attacked the duck with it while Gambira fled inside!
At least they were able take advantage of the great outdoors even if they didn't climb.
Gambira is also a very good climber, but she tends to be lazy due to her 'dusty bin look'
I remember a new keeper once trying to encourage her to explore and climb inside by putting peanut butter on the highest poles of the climbing frames he realised it wasnt helping with the weight problems. At least now they are getting some vegies put out during the day to nibble on. rather than eat the whole lot at evening time when the keepers go home by eating during the day they can at least burn of some of the calories. Their coats are looking lovely now that they are outside in the fresh air.
Only saw and heard Demo today he had a stick which he was fashioning into a tool, on the veiwing platform next minute he swung down stick in mouth and was of, an orang on a mission I called him as he usualy looks over which he did but i got that 'cant you see i'm busy!'
