Australasian Orangutan Population

[Zoofan15]

If Taronga does replace gorillas with another ape species, my own preference would be for Bornean orangutans, as no other zoo in Australia currently holds them. Auckland Zoo's Bornean orangutans are immensely popular, and this species would be a huge draw at Taronga, especially if they decided to construct aerial pathways like those at Auckland Zoo.

I personally would also love to see an Australasian zoo take on bonobo, as they are the only great apes I've never seen in person, although that seems a lot less likely.

The upgrade of Bornean orangutan’s conservation status from endangered to critically endangered could easily prompt a renewed interest in this species - both from prospective holders such as Taronga; and in the issuing of breeding recommendations globally.

If Taronga can import Bornean orangutans and have the space to breed them, it’s likely they’ll receive breeding recommendations if they can secure genetically valuable individuals (as Auckland has done with Daya’s import). With Auckland predicted to export either Bahmi or Charlie’s subsequent offspring with Daya and/or Melur, then there could be opportunities for exchange between Auckland/Taronga.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

The upgrade of Bornean orangutan’s conservation status from endangered to critically endangered could easily prompt a renewed interest in this species - both from prospective holders such as Taronga; and in the issuing of breeding recommendations globally.

If Taronga can import Bornean orangutans and have the space to breed them, it’s likely they’ll receive breeding recommendations if they can secure genetically valuable individuals (as Auckland has done with Daya’s import). With Auckland predicted to export either Bahmi or Charlie’s subsequent offspring with Daya and/or Melur, then there could be opportunities for exchange between Auckland/Taronga.

Yes, I too was thinking that any exports from Auckland could go to Taronga should they decide to hold Bornean orangutans (it would make it a lot easier for me, personally, to visit any beloved individuals in the future if they did this). And it would be encouraging, in general, to see a renewal of interest in the Bornean orangutan species as a whole.

Perhaps Orana could be the future holding facility for any surplus males from Australian zoos going forward?

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes, I too was thinking that any exports from Auckland could go to Taronga should they decide to hold Bornean orangutans (it would make it a lot easier for me, personally, to visit any beloved individuals in the future if they did this). And it would be encouraging, in general, to see a renewal of interest in the Bornean orangutan species as a whole.

Perhaps Orana could be the future holding facility for any surplus males from Australian zoos going forward?

Considering Charlie’s genetic value, I’m optimistic even his sons would be snapped up by North America or Europe if they were to be offered.

That said, I would love to see Orana Wildlife Park come onboard as an additional holder and considering they don’t want to import a breeding troop of gorilla, I see it as a strong likelihood they will eventually go into orangutans. The 1991 regional plan was actually for New Zealand to focus on Bornean orangutan and Australia on Sumatran orangutan; though as early as 1995, Taronga imported purebred Borneans from Hong Kong.

It’s interesting to observes the large scale production of hybrids within the region starting in 1957 and ending in 1990; which for a while left a lasting legacy of orangutans that were removed from the breeding programme, but occupied spaces across our zoos. We’re now reduced to 1.2 hybrids and all the main zoos except Melbourne hold either purebred Sumatran or Bornean colonies.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Considering Charlie’s genetic value, I’m optimistic even his sons would be snapped up by North America or Europe if they were to be offered.

That said, I would love to see Orana Wildlife Park come onboard as an additional holder and considering they don’t want to import a breeding troop of gorilla, I see it as a strong likelihood they will eventually go into orangutans. The 1991 regional plan was actually for New Zealand to focus on Bornean orangutan and Australia on Sumatran orangutan; though as early as 1995, Taronga imported purebred Borneans from Hong Kong.

It’s interesting to observes the large scale production of hybrids within the region starting in 1957 and ending in 1990; which for a while left a lasting legacy of orangutans that were removed from the breeding programme, but occupied spaces across our zoos. We’re now reduced to 1.2 hybrids and all the main zoos except Melbourne hold either purebred Sumatran or Bornean colonies.

Charlie is indeed a very special male, especially in his genetic value, and any offspring of his will be valuable indeed. So I am hoping that he and Daya will produce an infant in the next few years, and that Melur may possibly breed again.

Was the production of hybrids deliberate, or accidental, would you know? I've heard numerous anecdotal accounts of Sumatran females showing a strong preference for Bornean males (probably due to their larger flanges) when access to them became available, the classic example being Charlie's father Zabu and the iconic Sumatran female, Ah Meng.

 

[Zoofan15]

Was the production of hybrids deliberate, or accidental, would you know? I've heard numerous anecdotal accounts of Sumatran females showing a strong preference for Bornean males when access to them became available, the classic example being Charlie's father Zabu and the iconic Sumatran female, Ah Meng.

The production of hybrids began in 1957 at Taronga Zoo. Their founders were two Bornean males and two Sumatran founders. The breeding of the multitude of hybrids that followed was initially undertaken prior to the acknowledgement of Bornean and Sumatran orangutans as seperate species. This is supported by newspaper articles regarding the regular births of hybrids at Taronga, with each one celebrated as a triumph for an endangered species.

Once it was recognised that Bornean and Sumatran orangutans should not be inter-bred and moratoriums on breeding hybrids were issued overseas, Australian zoos followed suit. Perth had the opportunity to streamline their colony via their most productive line being a Sumatran female who bred with their breeding male (also Sumatran).

Auckland’s initiative to import purebred Bornean orangutan in the early 1980’s suggest this was beginning of streamlining within the region; even if hybridising continued for nearly another decade.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

The production of hybrids began in 1957 at Taronga Zoo. Their founders were two Bornean males and two Sumatran founders. The breeding of the multitude of hybrids that followed was initially undertaken prior to the acknowledgement of Bornean and Sumatran orangutans as seperate species. This is supported by newspaper articles regarding the regular births of hybrids at Taronga, with each one celebrated as a triumph for an endangered species.

Once it was recognised that Bornean and Sumatran orangutans should not be inter-bred and moratoriums on breeding hybrids were issued overseas, Australian zoos followed suit. Perth had the opportunity to streamline their colony via their most productive line being a Sumatran female who bred with their breeding male (also Sumatran).

Auckland’s initiative to import purebred Bornean orangutan in the early 1980’s suggest this was beginning of streamlining within the region; even if hybridising continued for nearly another decade.

Thanks for this - it does explain the high incidences of hybrid orangutans in Australia (a very different scenario from the non-approved hybrids born at Singapore Zoo and one UK zoo I heard about where a Sumatran male turned out to be infertile and the offspring of the Sumatran female were in fact hybrids, conceived due to a faulty fence and a ready and willing Bornean male next door). And this would of course have been long before the Tapanuli species was deemed separate from the Sumatran (as far as I know only one breeding female in captivity has ever turned out to be Tapanuli?)

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for this - it does explain the high incidences of hybrid orangutans in Australia (a very different scenario from the non-approved hybrids born at Singapore Zoo and one UK zoo I heard about where a Sumatran male turned out to be infertile and the offspring of the Sumatran female were in fact hybrids, conceived due to a faulty fence and a ready and willing Bornean male next door). And this would of course have been long before the Tapanuli species was deemed separate from the Sumatran (as far as I know only one breeding female in captivity has ever turned out to be Tapanuli?)

Yes, only one known Tapanuli has entered the global captive population.

These are her details (copied from a previous post of mine):

Spoiler: Tapanuli orangutan

0.1 Bubbles
Born in the wild 00/00/1963
Arrived at San Diego Zoo 15/12/1977 (via Phoenix 1964)
Died at San Diego Zoo 10/04/1995

Offspring:

1.0 Benny (06/03/1979) Alive (Zoo Atlanta)
1.0 Oliver (14/06/1980) Alive (Birmingham Zoo)
0.1 Bo (16/01/1982) Died 2010
0.1 Bella (01/07/1984) Alive (Louisville Zoo)
0.1 Unnamed (07/01/1986) Died 1986

Benny has two surviving offspring - a three way hybrid; and a Tapanuli/Sumatran hybrid.

Oliver has one offspring that is a Tapanuli/Sumatran hybrid.

As much as I’d love to see a Tapanuli orangutan, I don’t doubt all involved are glad none of the ancestors of our regional population have been identified as Tapanuli orangutans.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Yes, only one known Tapanuli has entered the global captive population.

These are her details (copied from a previous post of mine):

Spoiler: Tapanuli orangutan

0.1 Bubbles
Born in the wild 00/00/1963
Arrived at San Diego Zoo 15/12/1977 (via Phoenix 1964)
Died at San Diego Zoo 10/04/1995

Offspring:

1.0 Benny (06/03/1979) Alive (Zoo Atlanta)
1.0 Oliver (14/06/1980) Alive (Birmingham Zoo)
0.1 Bo (16/01/1982) Died 2010
0.1 Bella (01/07/1984) Alive (Louisville Zoo)
0.1 Unnamed (07/01/1986) Died 1986

Benny has two surviving offspring - a three way hybrid; and a Tapanuli/Sumatran hybrid.

Oliver has one offspring that is a Tapanuli/Sumatran hybrid.

As much as I’d love to see a Tapanuli orangutan, I don’t doubt all involved are glad none of the ancestors of our regional population have been identified as Tapanuli orangutans.

Thanks for that information! I knew there was a Tapanuli somewhere but was not sure which zoo she was from. I too would love to see a Tapanuli orangutan, but it's best if those very rare animals remain in the wild, and it would be disastrous if any of the Australian Sumatran population were identified as part Tapanuli - that could necessitate removing quite a few orangutans from the breeding programme!

 

[Abbey]

That’s definitely a long term possibility. Even with Kiani’s death, it makes sense to put the acquisition of a new female on hold until the elephants depart; which has long been anticipated to open up room for the expansion of Melbourne’s orangutan facilities. From here, Melbourne could then consider bringing in a mate for Malu.

Within the next few years, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the transfer of some of Perth’s colony to other Australian zoos. Females could be paired with either Malu at Melbourne or Kluet at Adelaide; and their young adult male (Sungai) is the obvious replacement for Santan at Sydney Zoo when he passes, joining Maimunah and Dewi.

Perth’s renovated exhibit appear to show larger exhibits that require some degree of integration of their orangutans. Dependent on personalities, it’s likely we’ll see a downsizing of their colony to achieve this.

Perth's masterplan seems to heavily rely on flexible exhibits to give animals more space and for enrichment. I'm not sure how possible it would be to integrate some of the females, so maybe Pulang and Lestari would be retained (presuming they are still in together) and Teliti transferred out when Puteri passes - but that would probably require a new male. Perhaps if the orangutans all had access to multiple spaces, that would allow them to choose whether to be together or stay separate.

 

[Zoofan15]

Perth's masterplan seems to heavily rely on flexible exhibits to give animals more space and for enrichment. I'm not sure how possible it would be to integrate some of the females, so maybe Pulang and Lestari would be retained (presuming they are still in together) and Teliti transferred out when Puteri passes - but that would probably require a new male. Perhaps if the orangutans all had access to multiple spaces, that would allow them to choose whether to be together or stay separate.

I agree retaining Pulang and Lestari makes sense (especially if they’re still capable of cohabiting) as there’s the potential to house them in a small group with their respective offspring long term, maximising use of the exhibit.

As a young female, Teliti would be a good one to retain. A daughter could be bred from her to achieve the same social grouping as Pulang/Lestari versus Sekara, who is 34 years old this year and has no daughters. In the meantime, Teliti and Puteri could represent a second grouping.

Utama, Sekara and Sungai are single units and the best candidates to transfer out. Utama is non-reproductive, so they may have to retain her; but Sekara could be paired with Kluet at Adelaide. The renovations at Adelaide should enable two females (Puspa and Sekara) to be housed separately.

Potential Plan (Hypothetical)

Retain at Perth:

1.0 Dinar (06/03/1987) Dinding x Abigail; Imported 2004

0.1 Puteri (12/06/1970) Atjeh x Puan
0.1 Teliti (20/10/2009) Hsing Hsing x Puteri

0.1 Pulang (21/12/1993) Atjeh x Puan
0.1 Lestari (09/01/2012) Hsing Hsing x Pulang

0.1 Utama (19/06/1979) Atjeh x Puteri

Send to Adelaide:

0.1 Sekara (20/07/1990) Hsing Hsing x Puspa

Send to Sydney:

1.0 Sungai (30/12/2011) Dinar x Sekara

 

[marmolady]

That sounds sensible; or in the scenario where a female be imported from overseas to Adelaide (as has been talked about) Sekara could be a match instead for Malu if she's content with coexisting with Gabby.

 

[Jambo]

That sounds sensible; or in the scenario where a female be imported from overseas to Adelaide (as has been talked about) Sekara could be a match instead for Malu if she's content with coexisting with Gabby.

Or with Kiani's death now; Melbourne could just rotate Malu between the two girls (as was done for the last year or so with Gabby and Kiani).

This would be beneficial as once the female does conceive, Malu could still be grouped with Gabby.

 

[Zoofan15]

That sounds sensible; or in the scenario where a female be imported from overseas to Adelaide (as has been talked about) Sekara could be a match instead for Malu if she's content with coexisting with Gabby.

Or with Kiani's death now; Melbourne could just rotate Malu between the two girls (as was done for the last year or so with Gabby and Kiani).

This would be beneficial as once the female does conceive, Malu could still be grouped with Gabby.

I know Kluet was identified as a genetically valuable male, so the priority may to breed from him over his nephew, Malu. The rennovations to Adelaide’s exhibit should allow for rotation of Puspa (who’s now 49) and Sekara, who unfortunately wouldn’t be able to share a space again. Kluet and Karta were exceptionally close, but Puspa may well be content with her own company from what I’ve heard!

 

[Jambo]

I know Kluet was identified as a genetically valuable male, so the priority may to breed from him over his nephew, Malu. The rennovations to Adelaide’s exhibit should allow for rotation of Puspa (who’s now 49) and Sekara, who unfortunately wouldn’t be able to share a space again. Kluet and Karta were exceptionally close, but Puspa may well be content with her own company from what I’ve heard!

In that case, I'd still hope Melbourne do obtain a mate for Malu asap. With the impending elephant move and a potential orangutan expansion; the next few years would be the perfect time to acquire a mate for Malu.

 

[Zoofan15]

In that case, I'd still hope Melbourne do obtain a mate for Malu asap. With the impending elephant move and a potential orangutan expansion; the next few years would be the perfect time to acquire a mate for Malu.

I agree. With Melbourne Zoo’s elephants leaving by the end of 2024, I’m optimistic we could see the expanded orangutan facility open by the first half of 2027. Whether they import a new female in the interim or wait until the expansion is complete is an unknown; but either way, it’ll be good to see Malu paired with a female.

Especially with an expanded facility, I’d expect Melbourne to get preference on a breeding recommendation over Dewi at Sydney (especially if Kluet and Sekara are paired). That doesn’t necessarily discount Sungai from transferring to Sydney when Santan passes, but it could well be to form a non-breeding pair.

 

[Zoofan15]

For those who follow our region’s orangutans overseas:

Madju (2005) is going to be a father again, with the news his mate (Luna Bella) is expecting an infant at Busch Gardens. They previously produced a son in 2017, who died at the age of four years.

It’s great North America are making good use of Charlie’s valuable genes.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

For those who follow our region’s orangutans overseas:

Madju (2005) is going to be a father again, with the news his mate (Luna Bella) is expecting an infant at Busch Gardens. They previously produced a son in 2017, who died at the age of four years.

It’s great North America are making good use of Charlie’s valuable genes.

This is indeed awesome news! Here's hoping for a healthy pregnancy and infant. The loss of little Malu was a great tragedy and I sincerely hope for a better outcome this time around. I am personally hoping for a female, but even another male from Charlie's line would still be extremely valuable.

 

[Zoofan15]

This is indeed awesome news! Here's hoping for a healthy pregnancy and infant. The loss of little Malu was a great tragedy and I sincerely hope for a better outcome this time around. I am personally hoping for a female, but even another male from Charlie's line would still be extremely valuable.

Charlie is the ranked the second most genetically valuable male in captivity, so hopefully we can get at least two more infants out of him - one each to Melur and Daya.

It’s amazing to think Charlie arrived at the zoo as a juvenile 40 years ago this March!

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Charlie is the ranked the second most genetically valuable male in captivity, so hopefully we can get at least two more infants out of him - one each to Melur and Daya.

It’s amazing to think Charlie arrived at the zoo as a juvenile 40 years ago this March!

I'm hoping for more infants too, whether males or females. Charlie's genetics are too valuable to let slip away, and if you count her sire's line (her dam Yasmin is well represented) so are Melur's. I too hope she will breed one more time, as well as Daya becoming a first-time mother when the breeding programme deems her ready.

And that is quite an impressive span of time that Charlie has been at Auckland! A volunteer did tell me that he's been at the zoo longer than any other animal, and even longer than most of the staff!

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Auckland Zoo orangutan update!

I visited the zoo this afternoon and observed that all four orangutans - Charlie, Melur, Bahmi and new female Daya - were in the orangutan habitat together and appeared to be getting along well. Charlie and Melur appeared relaxed and going about their normal activities, while Bahmi seemed to be intensely fascinated by Daya and was following her around the habitat for quite some time. Daya would tolerate Bahmi's presence for a while, and Bahmi would then follow her again until she decided to move off, or Melur decided to come after Bahmi and carry him back to the nests near the window.

I spoke to a volunteer and she confirmed that Bahmi, of all the orangutan family, has shown the most interest in Daya since she was fully integrated with the group. Charlie had shown the most interest when Daya was still separated from the family group via mesh, but it is Bahmi who has apparently become "obsessed" with Daya (in the volunteer's words) since the four orangutans have been integrated.

Daya is apparently showing great patience with Bahmi's antics, being used to infants and juveniles due to having a younger brother (Sabbar, born 2016) back in the Netherlands.