Chester Zoo Orangutan update - 12/07/09

A

Andiii

Well-Known Member
Been to Chester today, all orangs (Bornean and Sumatran) actively on show - both Bornean babies clearly on view as Sarikei and Leia lounged about in the hammocks with Martha watching from the higher one. There's still no news on the new baby's sex or name and no keepers about whatsoever all day to ask. I still didn't manage to get sighting on Tuan and peered through the log barriers on several occasions to the old Orang outside bit which seems very overgrown and neglected and the doors were shut all day. :( Just where is he housed these days? Perhaps he will be moved to another zoo for breeding purposes with all 3 females having or expecting young? I don't think I'll ever get to see the big fella! :(


After sitting high up trunks overlooking the path out of Realm of the Read Ape for ages, Puluh sat with both Emma & Indah and then Subis and Kirana on the back ledge later in the afternoon as they foraged for their food - such a lovely sight seeing them together.
 
Tuan is in the old part of the house and has access to the island formerly inhabited by Sibu. They are placing him with Martha again next year. The new baby is female.
 
We had an unexpected visit to Chester on Saturday 11/07/2009

We were supposed to be having a long weekend away in the West Midlands going to West Midlands Safari Park, my 1st visit to Dudley and Twycross but due to a breakdown and having to be towed to North Lincolnshire we made the best of it :D

Lovely to see all the baby orangs and the changes since my last visit although I wasnt allowed to play golf :rolleyes:

The only worrying part of our visit to RORA was observing a young orang (sorry do not know the names but have a photo if necessary) mating with a very willing gibbon :confused: is this normal behaviour as it didnt look like the first time this had happened :eek: (ps photo is of orang not the mating I drew the line at photographing that :D)
 
karenZOO said:
The only worrying part of our visit to RORA was observing a young orang (sorry do not know the names but have a photo if necessary) mating with a very willing gibbon :confused: is this normal behaviour as it didnt look like the first time this had happened :eek: (ps photo is of orang not the mating I drew the line at photographing that :D)
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I don't want all the details but was the Orangutan mating the gibbon or the gibbon mating the orangutan?

Either way this was an act between two males! I suppose the young fella has to learn some how! :rolleyes:
 
Orang with the gibbon :o gibbon was just laying on 'his' back which made me think it wasn't the 1st time :D kind of makes it alright that there won't be any giborangs in the very distant future :p

Luckily the brownie pack who were watching them playfight had moved on :eek:
 
bongorob said:
Tuan is in the old part of the house and has access to the island formerly inhabited by Sibu. They are placing him with Martha again next year. The new baby is female.
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Thanks for the info, I wonder when news of the sex and a name will be announced? It's such a shame as the baby is a real cutie!! :)

As for Tuan, I keep peering through the gaps in the bamboo fencing into what I think is the right area and see nothing but an overgrown wilderness and high logs with nothing much for Tuan to sit on if he was outside. The doors appeared closed all day yesterday and we checked on several occasions hoping to catch a glimpse of the big fella. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong area? Hopefully, I might see him when he is put with Martha again.
 
karenZOO said:
Orang with the gibbon :o gibbon was just laying on 'his' back which made me think it wasn't the 1st time :D kind of makes it alright that there won't be any giborangs in the very distant future :p

Luckily the brownie pack who were watching them playfight had moved on :eek:
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Oh dear, definitely not for Brownie viewing! As for giborangs of orangbons, mmm not really helping the breeding programme much me thinks! Sorry to hear re your breakdown and change of plans from visiting the new zoos you had planned. We are aiming to go to Bristol, Paignton and Twycross first week in August or Sept - I'm getting all excited at seeing the orangs and gorillas! :) Have you seen the Orangutan Evening advertised on Colchester's website? I had to give in and book as soon as I saw it! Ragy has a lot to answer for all the money he's costing me! LOL. Make the most of it whilst i can ... that's my notion! It should be a good night if it is like the Primate evening - particularly as it's just aimed at Ragy and Tiga who is, by the way, a real cutie!! :)
 
Andiii said:
As for Tuan, I keep peering through the gaps in the bamboo fencing into what I think is the right area and see nothing but an overgrown wilderness and high logs with nothing much for Tuan to sit on if he was outside. The doors appeared closed all day yesterday and we checked on several occasions hoping to catch a glimpse of the big fella. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong area? Hopefully, I might see him when he is put with Martha again.
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Unless it's been dismantled recently, the old island has a climbing frame and some platforms (as well as the overgrown grass and logs)
 
No I havent thanks Andii :D

We went to see Tiga today (how is it pronounces is it tigger or tiger or ???) adorable :D Rajy was sulking but did give me a kiss before resuming his sulk
 
:D
karenZOO said:
No I havent thanks Andii :D

We went to see Tiga today (how is it pronounces is it tigger or tiger or ???) adorable :D Rajy was sulking but did give me a kiss before resuming his sulk
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Yes, Ragy wasn't so pleased when we were there for the Primate Evening. it's understandable though, after all, he's used to all the attention and he did make me feel guilty showing an interest in Tiga as he stood watching at the window! As for pronunciation, I assume Tigga as in Winnie the Poo!! It's so not an orangutan name, who on earth thought of it??? Most are named after rivers and places in Borneo or Sumatra, he must have had a Winnie the Poo fan as a Keeper! LOL. :)

Where was Tiga? Has he been integrated yet or is he still in the 3 bed areas whilst Ragy has the main enclosure and outside? Has he come out from under his curtain yet? He never left it's cover when we were there, moved around with it in his teeth as he filled 3 hands/feet with food to retreat back under it and make a tent on the log to sit under with his stash of food! He's a defo cutie though but Rajang is still the best!! LOL. We have to be loyal now don't we???

The Orangutan Eve sounds good though with the BOS talk and proceeds going there. It also mentions watching target training, there must be plenty planned for the price when compared to the Primate Eve at £15 less. I do want to support all the great work BOS do though and intend to adopt an orang - just can't decide which one!! Decisions, decisions .....
 
CZJimmy said:
Unless it's been dismantled recently, the old island has a climbing frame and some platforms (as well as the overgrown grass and logs)
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I couldn't see the platforms but perhaps, me being a shortie, is struggling to see the full picture through the gaps in the bamboo fencing!! :) It just looks so shabby and neglected compared to the rest of the RoRA. :(
 
Andiii said:
I couldn't see the platforms but perhaps, me being a shortie, is struggling to see the full picture through the gaps in the bamboo fencing!! :) It just looks so shabby and neglected compared to the rest of the RoRA. :(
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It is the old house.
 
Pulau Tiga is a island in borneo (meaning Island of Three) so i guess Tiga means 3

Rajy had the far end sleeping quarters and outside, Tiga had inside and end sleeping compartment.

Rajy was just staring at the bars and wall till I got him to come over for a kiss then he went back to staring.
Tiga was under curtain and trying to be brave and go get some food but kept diving back under when noisy people came along. He did come out a bit so got some photos of him and lots of eye contact :D

It does look very good I will hint to fella like mad that we should go :D
 
Andiii said:
True but still, if it's still occupied I just though that perhaps it could be better maintained and kept looking better but I suppose it is officially an 'off viewing' area.
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I think its an improvement, while it was on-show they had a horrible mowed lawn.
 
Andiii said:
I couldn't see the platforms but perhaps, me being a shortie, is struggling to see the full picture through the gaps in the bamboo fencing!! :) It just looks so shabby and neglected compared to the rest of the RoRA. :(
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Someone I know got some very good photos of Tuan on his outdoor frame recently, but said it was very difficult to get them.
 
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