Australasian Orangutan Population

[Zoofan15]

Looking at the original plans for housing, it does make more sense as to why Auckland Zoo imported orangutans as they did. Initially, since Horst and Charlie were juveniles when they arrived, the zoo may have assumed that they would coexist successfully until the planned enclosure was built.

I too think that the larger orangutan group would have thrived in the current orangutan/siamang habitat and made good use of the towers and aerial pathways. Although I do believe that the current group will make increased use of the aerial pathways as Bahmi matures and Daya is allowed to explore them.

I imagine the long term plan may have been to house them in pairs (Horst and Indra; Charlie and Dara) under the initial plans for a two exhibit complex. Charlie could have then bred with the female offspring of Horst and Indra, so in that sense the zoo were being forward thinking in sourcing more founders than they needed in the here and now.

It was also mentioned in the zoo’s history book that they imported Bornean orangutan because most zoos in the region held Sumatran. This sounds like reverse logic, but likely referred to a lack of availablity of Sumatran orangutans at that time (early 80’s), with Bornean being more prevalent in Europe.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I imagine the long term plan may have been to house them in pairs (Horst and Indra; Charlie and Dara) under the initial plans for a two exhibit complex. Charlie could have then bred with the female offspring of Horst and Indra, so in that sense the zoo were being forward thinking in sourcing more founders than they needed in the here and now.

It was also mentioned in the zoo’s history book that they imported Bornean orangutan because most zoos in the region held Sumatran. This sounds like reverse logic, but likely referred to a lack of availablity of Sumatran orangutans at that time (early 80’s), with Bornean being more prevalent in Europe.

@Zoofan15 - It would have been interesting to see how their plans would have played out if the exhibit they envisioned had gone ahead. I'm glad they did choose to take on Bornean orangutans, due to their change in status in the wild and that the breeding programme in general looks promising. As far as I know, there haven't been any Sumatran orangutan births in Australia where they don't hold Borneans, if I remember correctly.

 

[Jambo]

@Zoofan15 - It would have been interesting to see how their plans would have played out if the exhibit they envisioned had gone ahead. I'm glad they did choose to take on Bornean orangutans, due to their change in status in the wild and that the breeding programme in general looks promising. As far as I know, there haven't been any Sumatran orangutan births in Australia where they don't hold Borneans, if I remember correctly.

No zoos (besides Taronga which had hybrids) have held Borneans in Australia for over two decades now. Melbourne and Perth have breed Sumatrans since then but that's it.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 - It would have been interesting to see how their plans would have played out if the exhibit they envisioned had gone ahead. I'm glad they did choose to take on Bornean orangutans, due to their change in status in the wild and that the breeding programme in general looks promising. As far as I know, there haven't been any Sumatran orangutan births in Australia where they don't hold Borneans, if I remember correctly.

No zoos (besides Taronga which had hybrids) have held Borneans in Australia for over two decades now. Melbourne and Perth have breed Sumatrans since then but that's it.

Sumatran orangutans were last (succesfully) bred at Melbourne (2010) and Perth (2012). Purebred Bornean orangutans have been held at several Australian zoos over the years, but only ever produced hybrid offspring. Perth had two Bornean females for example, one of which (Binte) went to Singapore Zoo so she could breed.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

No zoos (besides Taronga which had hybrids) have held Borneans in Australia for over two decades now. Melbourne and Perth have breed Sumatrans since then but that's it.

@Jambo - thanks for that information!

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Sumatran orangutans were last (succesfully) bred at Melbourne (2010) and Perth (2012). Purebred Bornean orangutans have been held at several Australian zoos over the years, but only ever produced hybrid offspring. Perth had two Bornean females for example, one of which (Binte) went to Singapore Zoo so she could breed.

@Zoofan15 - thanks for that! Are there any plans for the future to breed orangutans in Australia, do you know? I did hear there were plans to find a female to pair with male Sumatran orangutan Malu at Melbourne Zoo - I wonder if these fell through or were put on hold for other reasons?

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 - thanks for that! Are there any plans for the future to breed orangutans in Australia, do you know? I did hear there were plans to find a female to pair with male Sumatran orangutan Malu at Melbourne Zoo - I wonder if these fell through or were put on hold for other reasons?

Perth are currently on a breeding hiatus.

Melbourne have no immediate plans to import a female Sumatran orangutan (Malu is well bonded with Kiani, who is elderly). They’ll likely wait until the redevelopment of the elephant exhibit, which will afford them more space to expand. Hopefully aerial ropes!

 

[Jambo]

@Zoofan15 - thanks for that! Are there any plans for the future to breed orangutans in Australia, do you know? I did hear there were plans to find a female to pair with male Sumatran orangutan Malu at Melbourne Zoo - I wonder if these fell through or were put on hold for other reasons?

Perth are currently on a breeding hiatus.

Melbourne have no immediate plans to import a female Sumatran orangutan (Malu is well bonded with Kiani, who is elderly). They’ll likely wait until the redevelopment of the elephant exhibit, which will afford them more space to expand. Hopefully aerial ropes!

There were never any plans to pair up Malu afaik. Considering he's not an entirely valuable male, the region may elect to breed from his younger sister Dewi instead going forward and keep Malu in a non breeding pair with his half sister Gabby long term (who he's close too).

With that in mind, it would've been a much better decision to send Malu plus the two hybrid females to Sydney.

Imo an expansion is very much on the cards going forward. At least if it isn't apart of the direct elephant replacement, I'd imagine we'd see one at Melbourne within the next decade or so.

 

[Zoofan15]

There were never any plans to pair up Malu afaik. Considering he's not an entirely valuable male, the region may elect to breed from his younger sister Dewi instead going forward and keep Malu in a non breeding pair with his half sister Gabby long term (who he's close too).

With that in mind, it would've been a much better decision to send Malu plus the two hybrid females to Sydney.

Imo an expansion is very much on the cards going forward. At least if it isn't apart of the direct elephant replacement, I'd imagine we'd see one at Melbourne within the next decade or so.

I’ve long thought that replacing Santan (1977) at Sydney Zoo when he passes with Sungai (2011) from Perth Zoo makes a lot of sense, considering he’s related to all the females in Perth’s colony and can’t be housed with Dinar (1987). This could still tie in with a swap with Melbourne.

Adelaide will be another one to watch when Puspa (1975) passes. Kluet is genetically valuable and a mother daughter pair from Perth (Pulung and Lestari) would be ideal candidates demographically.

Both these transfers would take Perth a step closer in alighting with the other regional facilities in numbers they hold. I doubt we’ll ever see a return to them having four plus females breeding at the same time.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I’ve long thought that replacing Santan (1977) at Sydney Zoo when he passes with Sungai (2011) from Perth Zoo makes a lot of sense, considering he’s related to all the females in Perth’s colony and can’t be housed with Dinar (1987). This could still tie in with a swap with Melbourne.

Adelaide will be another one to watch when Puspa (1975) passes. Kluet is genetically valuable and a mother daughter pair from Perth (Pulung and Lestari) would be ideal candidates demographically.

Both these transfers would take Perth a step closer in alighting with the other regional facilities in numbers they hold. I doubt we’ll ever see a return to them having four plus females breeding at the same time.

@Zoofan15 and @Jambo - thanks for the information! Do you ever think Australian zoos will ever return to importing and breeding Borneans? I did hear somewhere that Perth Zoo's breeding hiatus is due to redeveloping the orangutan habitat, hopefully including aerial pathways a la Auckland Zoo.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 and @Jambo - thanks for the information! Do you ever think Australian zoos will ever return to importing and breeding Borneans? I did hear somewhere that Perth Zoo's breeding hiatus is due to redeveloping the orangutan habitat, hopefully including aerial pathways a la Auckland Zoo.

I think the most realistic chance we have of seeing a second Bornean holder is if Taronga Zoo import them. They phased out their hybrids a few years ago (transferred to Mogo) and apparently have plans to build an exhibit for orangutans as part of their elephant exhibit redevelopment. Five years ago, I would have assessed Taronga as more likely to import Sumatran, but with Bornean also being critically endangered, both species have a strong case.

Orana Wildlife Park have also debated orangutans in the past, but as with their gorilla plans, they’ve swapped and changed; and it’s my opinion they’ll stick with gorillas for the foreseeable.

That’s correct. Perth Zoo are undertaking redevelopments and there will be no breeding until then. They potentially have four reproductive age females: Sekara (1990), Pulang (1993), Teliti (2009) and Lestari (2012).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I think the most realistic chance we have of seeing a second Bornean holder is if Taronga Zoo import them. They phased out their hybrids a few years ago (transferred to Mogo) and apparently have plans to build an exhibit for orangutans as part of their elephant exhibit redevelopment. Five years ago, I would have assessed Taronga as more likely to import Sumatran, but with Bornean also being critically endangered, both species have a strong case.

Orana Wildlife Park have also debated orangutans in the past, but as with their gorilla plans, they’ve swapped and changed; and it’s my opinion they’ll stick with gorillas for the foreseeable.

That’s correct. Perth Zoo are undertaking redevelopments and there will be no breeding until then. They potentially have four reproductive age females: Sekara (1990), Pulang (1993), Teliti (2009) and Lestari (2012).

@Zoofan15 - I think it would be beneficial to see Borneans re-established at Taronga. And it will be exciting to see the new developments at Perth. Would you happen to know what the original plans were for orangutans at Orana? I would be interested to see what the current plans are for gorillas, but I will probably raise that question in the gorilla thread.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 - I think it would be beneficial to see Borneans re-established at Taronga. And it will be exciting to see the new developments at Perth. Would you happen to know what the original plans were for orangutans at Orana? I would be interested to see what the current plans are for gorillas, but I will probably raise that question in the gorilla thread.

The original plans were for Orana Wildlife Park to import Sumatran orangutans after the departure of the trio from Auckland Zoo. No individuals were ever named, but surplus from Australia seemed a reasonable likelihood. They would have been looking for a medium sized cohesive group so my money would be on Santan, Maiminah and Dewi who went to Sydney instead.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

The original plans were for Orana Wildlife Park to import Sumatran orangutans after the departure of the trio from Auckland Zoo. No individuals were ever named, but surplus from Australia seemed a reasonable likelihood. They would have been looking for a medium sized cohesive group so my money would be on Santan, Maiminah and Dewi who went to Sydney instead.

@Zoofan15 - thanks for this. I wonder if Orana will reconsider orangutans going forward, or if they will expand the gorilla exhibit instead?

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 - thanks for this. I wonder if Orana will reconsider orangutans going forward, or if they will expand the gorilla exhibit instead?

I would love to see Orana Wildlife Park acquire orangutans but to my knowledge, their focus for the foreseeable will be on gorillas. Unlike New Zealand’s other main zoos, Orana is privately funded, so this limits their ambition at times. I know the contrast between the great apes was a highlight of the visitor experience - after all it’s a great ape centre!

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I would love to see Orana Wildlife Park acquire orangutans but to my knowledge, their focus for the foreseeable will be on gorillas. Unlike New Zealand’s other main zoos, Orana is privately funded, so this limits their ambition at times. I know the contrast between the great apes was a highlight of the visitor experience - after all it’s a great ape centre!

@Zoofan15 - I've only visited Orana once but was very impressed with the habitat and the apes - this was in 2018 when the Auckland orangutans were being temporarily housed there and gorilla Mahali was still alive. When I was there, the habitat was divided into 2 areas - is this still the case? I wonder if Orana plans to take on more gorillas in the future?

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 - I've only visited Orana once but was very impressed with the habitat and the apes - this was in 2018 when the Auckland orangutans were being temporarily housed there and gorilla Mahali was still alive. When I was there, the habitat was divided into 2 areas - is this still the case? I wonder if Orana plans to take on more gorillas in the future?

Yes the complex has two large outdoor paddocks connected to a central night house. I do have an update on Orana’s gorillas with relation to future planning. I will detail this in the gorilla thread shortly.

 

[Jambo]

Yes the complex has two large outdoor paddocks connected to a central night house. I do have an update on Orana’s gorillas with relation to future planning. I will detail this in the gorilla thread shortly.

If they have two outdoor areas; theoretically they can manage two groups then?

 

[Zoofan15]

If they have two outdoor areas; theoretically they can manage two groups then?

Yes, either gorillas in one and orangutans in the other; or more likely, two groupings of gorillas going forward (what they currently have with 1.0 in each). This is a concept drawing:

Source: Great Ape Centre

 

[Zoofan15]

Horst (1978-2023)

First of all, thanks to @ApeLadyNZ for this update:

Horst the male Bornean orangutan passed away at Busch Gardens in March this year. He had turned 45 years old in January and was the oldest male Bornean orangutan in North America.

——————

Many of you will know Horst through his long term residence at Auckland Zoo. Born at Frankfurt Zoo in 1978, He was imported by Auckland Zoo in 1983; along with his half-sister from Frankfurt Zoo - Dara (1977-2000); and a female from Rotterdam Zoo - Indra (1980). They were joined in 1984 by a male from Singapore Zoo - Charlie (1981). Horst sired three confirmed offspring - Intan (1989-2011), Datuk (1989-1996) and Isim (1994). A fourth potential offspring that died the day it was born in 2002 is listed with unconfirmed paternity.

I have many fond memories from my childhood of visiting the orangutans at Auckland Zoo in the early 2000’s. With Horst and Charlie rotating access to the female group from the late 1980’s until 2005, it was always a point of curiosity which male I’d find with the main group. An off-display annex with an open air roof held the other male, which you wouldn’t see unless they climbed to the roof of this area.

Horst was the preferred male of Indra and Intan and he lived with these females between 2005-2009 in what had previously been a chimpanzee exhibit. Their export to the US in 2009 marked the beginning of phasing out Bornean orangutans from Auckland Zoo (a decision that has since been reversed; with the colony slowly building up numbers again).