Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2009 #1

When 'Batu' first arrived at Twycross and went into 'seclusion' for a long period, he was about the same age as (his son) Tiga is now. He eventually came out of it so I'm sure Tiga will too- but it is a form of depression caused by the trauma of being moved. There have been a couple of cases on the Continent where after a transfer, Orangs had to be moved back to their home zoos as it was feared they would die otherwise.
 
Andiii said:
( The enclosure really doesn't seem right for having 2 orangs separated for a long period of time. It would have been far better had it been designed so that the main area could be split into 2 if necessary so both orangs have similar space whilst at the same time can see each other and thus become used to one and other.
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I don't understand how this enclosure ever got built the way it is. Just about everything is wrong with it and nobody seems to like it. What a terrible misuse of the money spent building it.
 
Pertinax said:
When 'Batu' first arrived at Twycross and went into 'seclusion' for a long period, he was about the same age as (his son) Tiga is now. He eventually came out of it so I'm sure Tiga will too- but it is a form of depression caused by the trauma of being moved. There have been a couple of cases on the Continent where after a transfer, Orangs had to be moved back to their home zoos as it was feared they would die otherwise.
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I wonder whether Tiga's half sister and Batu's daughter, Satu, has come out of hiding at Dvur Kralove yet?
 
Andiii said:
Poor old Rajy, I bet he is fed up being restricted to the sleeping areas unable to mooch along the main area's glass to interact with his public. I wonder if they switch them around so he still gets the main area to roam in?
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I can't say with absolute certainty this is what happens every day, but on the 3 or 4 occasions I've been to Colchester since Tiga arrived, Rajang has been in the sleeping areas more or less 1st thing in the morning, but back in the main area again by the time I've gone back at the end of the afternoon (where he usually sits by the glass to be adored) ......... so it would seem that the pair are being swapped around at some point in the same day ....... which is fair enough I suppose. I still haven't seen Tiga properly at Colchester yet, apart from under a blanket and I hope he does find the confidence soon to be more active. I'm sure I read that he was very close to his mum Kibriah at Twycross and it must be very strange for him to be away from the family group he's always known, despite the fact he's at the age where this would occur in the wild.
 
GillP said:
I'm sure I read that he was very close to his mum Kibriah at Twycross and it must be very strange for him to be away from the family group he's always known, despite the fact he's at the age where this would occur in the wild.
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Well yes, but its far more traumatic in a zoo situation- suddenly being forcibly removed and sent to a new location. In the wild the transition to full independence may take months, even years with the young male leaving when he is ready and probably rejoining his mother at intervals. Obviously not possible in a situation like this.
 
Gigit said:
I wonder whether Tiga's half sister and Batu's daughter, Satu, has come out of hiding at Dvur Kralove yet?
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She was the one in the video? It seems as if this runs in the family.

Even adult orangs suffer this trauma- I happened to visit Dudley once the day after the adult male Benjamin arrived there- he wasn't covered up but he stayed on one high rubber tyre as a retreat, and there was diahorrea all over the floor too. But he soon adjusted.
 
Pertinax said:
Well yes, but its far more traumatic in a zoo situation- suddenly being forcibly removed and sent to a new location. In the wild the transition to full independence may take months, even years with the young male leaving when he is ready and probably rejoining his mother at intervals. Obviously not possible in a situation like this.
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Yes, I totally agree.
 
From facebook

Rajang and Tiga were mixed today and played happily all day! Look out for the exclusive first photos and videos online tomorrow!
 
Jealous :p

Hope they havent fallen out before Friday! Just glad its going alright for both their sakes they both looked so miserable all alone
 
Richie Hell said:
I've just watched the most recent episode of Bizarre Animal ER, and Colchester Zoo was featured.

Turns out Dende only had one testicle. The remaining one was removed to prevent this trait getting passed on to any offspring.

This may explain why they've brought a new male in.

Odd though that no one has heard any news of this before now :confused:
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So has or will Dende leave Colchester?
 
Great news about Rajang and Tiga .... hope the introductions continue to go well. They certainly seemed very interested in each other - albeit from either side of the bars separating them - last Friday.
 
karenZOO said:
Jealous :p

Hope they havent fallen out before Friday! Just glad its going alright for both their sakes they both looked so miserable all alone
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I hope they haven't fallen out either as I'm shadowing the keeper Friday so want all harmonious!! LOL. :)
 
karenZOO said:
Rajang and Tiga were mixed today and played happily all day! Look out for the exclusive first photos and videos online tomorrow!
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I didn't think this would happen but delighted to hear it has worked so well. I hope it stays this way.
 
According to someone who was there at the mixing they got on brilliantly!

Tiga was pulling Rajangs hair and running off wanting to be chased, Lots of eye contact and they stared into each others eyes for ages also loads of arm holding by Tiga :)

Andiii have a brilliant time Friday and tell us all about it


News from site and short video

Colchester Zoo News: Rajang and Tiga update!
 
Do have a good time Andii. :D
Just read the August E-letter and have found out that they have established a new leaf cutter ant colony after the loss of the previous one. Also I thought that the colchester episode of Michaelas animal roadtrip was pretty good! :cool:
 
Hi.
I'm brand new to this forum, I 1st saw this in April and ever since I've thought this is a great website. I've been thrilled by some of your great passion for animals and in some cases knowing of particular animals very well.

I'm so pleased with the success of the meeting bettween Rajang and Tiga. I've known Rajang all my life and I first saw Tiga on the primate evening. I saw him later on in July hideing under a sack and after half an hour fineally of sorts revealed himself wondering around the outdoor area with a sack. I can't wait to see them both together!
 
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I've just uploaded some photos of Rajang and Tiga together into Colchester's gallery if anyone's interested.
 
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