Perth Zoo Perth Zoo orangutans

Very interesting.... What was the latest orangutan born at perth zoo? I feel like they were progressing so fast being one of the best breeding zoo's for orangutans in the world and now they have just declined ever since. (I may need some explaining as I dont really know a lot about the PZ orangutans I know a bit more about the hyena's, Jaya etc...)
 
Johnpaul21 said:
Very interesting.... What was the latest orangutan born at perth zoo? I feel like they were progressing so fast being one of the best breeding zoo's for orangutans in the world and now they have just declined ever since. (I may need some explaining as I dont really know a lot about the PZ orangutans I know a bit more about the hyena's, Jaya etc...)
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These are all good questions.

The last infant was a stillborn infant born 16/10/2012 to Utama; with the last surviving infant being Lestari, who was born 09/01/2012.

Perth Zoo’s orangutan colony got off to a roaring start:

0.1 Puan (founder) produced 10 offspring between 1970-1993.
0.1 Binte (founder) produced 5 offspring between 1970-1979.
0.1 Mawas (foudner) produced 2 offspring in 1973 and 1976.

Atjeh (founder male) was Sumatran; but of the above females, only Puan was Sumatran, so the decision was made in the 1980’s to streamline the zoo’s colony and breed only purebred orangutans. The large number of infants produced by the founder females was in part due to hand-raising of all infants born in the 1970’s (shortening birth intervals).

Hsing Hsing was imported and sired three daughters to three of Puan’s daughters in 1990, 1992 and 1993. He sired a fourth daughter to one of these females in 2009; and a fifth daughter to another of Puan’s daughters in 2012.

Dinar was imported and sired three sons to two of Hsing Hsing’s daughters in 2005, 2007 and 2011.

Breeding is currently on hold ahead of redevelopment plans for a new exhibit.
 
Zoofan15 said:
That’s interesting, I didn’t know that - only that he had diabetes. Dinar’s breeding career has been somewhat short (three sons born 2005, 2007 and 2011) compared to the founder Atjeh; and even Hsing Hsing, who sired five surviving offspring between 1990 and 2012.

There’s been talk of Kluet (more genetically valuable than Dinar) transferring in as breeding male; so potentially Dinar will be retired, though he’s a match for all four of Perth’s reproductive aged females:

0.1 Sekara (20/07/1990) Hsing Hsing x Puspa
0.1 Pulang (21/12/1993) Atjeh x Puan
0.1 Teliti (20/10/2009) Hsing Hsing x Puteri
0.1 Lestari (09/01/2012) Hsing Hsing x Pulang
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Hsing Hsing's right eye was removed in 2008/09 due to glaucoma, unrelated to his diabetes: https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/pu...25763a0019c918/$file/perth+zoo+ar+2008-09.pdf

Do you know if Utama had any other non-surviving offspring? My understanding was that she was removed from the breeding program due to being the product of a father-daughter mating, although on contraception, rather than being sterilised like female hybrid orangutans.
 
Abbey said:
Hsing Hsing's right eye was removed in 2008/09 due to glaucoma, unrelated to his diabetes: https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/pu...25763a0019c918/$file/perth+zoo+ar+2008-09.pdf

Do you know if Utama had any other non-surviving offspring? My understanding was that she was removed from the breeding program due to being the product of a father-daughter mating, although on contraception, rather than being sterilised like female hybrid orangutans.
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Johnpaul21 said:
Hang on..... WHAT!!!!!!!!!!! Utama was a victim to father daughter mating??????? I thought that only happen back in like the 1960's :0
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Utama’s stillborn daughter (2012) was her only offspring. You’re correct that she was removed from the breeding programme due to being inbred; and Perth having a wealth of non inbred females to bred from. The mating was accidental and Utama is now non-reproductive via a partial hysterectomy.

Puteri produced six offspring, of which the first four were inbred (three with her father; one with her brother):

0.1 Utama
Born at Perth Zoo 19/06/1979
Still at Perth Zoo
Sire: Atjeh

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Perth Zoo 10/12/1981
Died at Perth Zoo 20/12/1981
Sire: Puntjak

0.1 Unnamed
Born at Perth Zoo 24/06/1983
Died at Perth Zoo 26/07/1983
Sire: Atjeh

0.1 Udara
Born at Perth Zoo 06/02/1987
Died at Perth Zoo 07/09/1991
Sire: Atjeh

Inbreeding is less common in Australasian zoos than it was pre-2000’s, but occurs frequently for a number of reasons e.g. inability to import, difficulty in moving unrelated animals between groups (e.g. chimpanzees and baboons).
 
Johnpaul21 said:
Also why did Dinar have such a short breeding career?
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I’ll reply in this thread as members prefer the news thread to centre around news.

As with many species, Sumatran orangutans are only bred when a breeding recommendation are given by the studbook coordinator - with capacity (both at the zoo and regional); the age and health of the prospective mother; and genetic value of both parents being the main influencing factors on whether a breeding recommendation is given.

In Dinar’s case specifically, he descends from a well represented line, so any offspring he sires have little value to the breeding programme at this point in time (compared to the offspring of less valuable males).

Of the three offspring Dinar has sired, two have been released into the wild (the second and third offspring Perth released); with the third retained by Perth Zoo. My guess is he will transfer to Sydney Zoo upon the death of their elderly male and breed with their younger female, Dewi (2010).

1.0 Semeru
Born at Perth Zoo 13/06/2005
Sent to Sumatra 16/10/2011 (Release)
Died in Sumatra 03/04/2013

1.0 Nyaru
Born at Perth Zoo 20/10/2007
Sent to Sumatra 10/05/2016 (Release)

1.0 Sungai
Born at Perth Zoo 30/12/2011
Still at Perth Zoo
 
marmolady said:
Utama is the one who puts her finger over her eye. If you managed to get any photos, I’m happy to ID orangutans for you.
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Hey I was recommended this by Steve :) As I still cant post images yet, I have left a jumpshare link to show the images! Unfortunately Dinar was at the back enclosure so I had to zoom to the furtherest my camera could but here are the images. 4 images

Btw I have never heard and orangutan make noises before and Dinar was making noises like calling out or something.
 
Johnpaul21 said:
Hey I was recommended this by Steve :) As I still cant post images yet, I have left a jumpshare link to show the images! Unfortunately Dinar was at the back enclosure so I had to zoom to the furtherest my camera could but here are the images. 4 images

Btw I have never heard and orangutan make noises before and Dinar was making noises like calling out or something.
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Great photos!

The vocalisations you describe sound like ‘long calls’ - which are made by mature male orangutans to advertise their presence to females and warn off rival males. Aside from being surrounded by multiple reproductive aged females, Dinar’s 13 year old son is now well and truly at the age where he’d be perceived as a threat; and while they don’t share an exhibit, Dinar would be very much aware of his presence.

Orangutan vocalisations are fascinating as they’re a comparatively quiet ape compared to the highly vocal and expressive chimpanzee. Last year I heard Auckland Zoo’s female orangutan make a series of rolling, guttural sounds (used in this species to threaten another individual). These were directed at the adult male, who wasn’t respecting her personal space.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Great photos!

The vocalisations you describe sound like ‘long calls’ - which are made by mature male orangutans to advertise their presence to females and warn off rival males. Aside from being surrounded by multiple reproductive aged females, Dinar’s 13 year old son is now well and truly at the age where he’d be perceived as a threat; and while they don’t share an exhibit, Dinar would be very much aware of his presence.

Orangutan vocalisations are fascinating as they’re a comparatively quiet ape compared to the highly vocal and expressive chimpanzee. Last year I heard Auckland Zoo’s female orangutan make a series of rolling, guttural sounds (used in this species to threaten another individual). These were directed at the adult male, who wasn’t respecting her personal space.
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Thanks Zoofan15 :)

How many orangutans are there in total at the Zoo because yesterday I could see 6 outside but I don't know how many there were inside and I only thought there was one male, but you said there was another one if you could please elaborate on all the orangutans that would be great :)
 
Johnpaul21 said:
Thanks Zoofan15 :)

How many orangutans are there in total at the Zoo because yesterday I could see 6 outside but I don't know how many there were inside and I only thought there was one male, but you said there was another one if you could please elaborate on all the orangutans that would be great :)
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Perth Zoo should currently have eight orangutans (two males; six females). Dinar and his son Sungai are the males.

Not all orangutans will necessarily be outside on any given visit and groupings will vary:

1.0 Dinar (06/03/1987) Dinding x Abigail; Imported 2004
0.1 Puteri (12/06/1970) Atjeh x Puan
0.1 Utama (19/06/1979) Atjeh x Puteri
0.1 Sekara (20/07/1990) Hsing Hsing x Puspa
0.1 Pulang (21/12/1993) Atjeh x Puan
0.1 Teliti (20/10/2009) Hsing Hsing x Puteri
1.0 Sungai (30/12/2011) Dinar x Sekara
0.1 Lestari (09/01/2012) Hsing Hsing x Pulang

Perth has typically ceased housing offspring with their mothers by 10-12 years (sometimes earlier); though as noted in my previous post, Pulang and Lestari were seen sharing a space of recent (in addition to Lestari spending time with Sungai).
 
steveroberts said:
Fantastic photos again @Johnpaul21
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Thanks Steve, Can anyone explain why I have never seen Sungai in person, never seen him on socials or on the internet except for when him and Sekera escaped their enclosure in 2017 when he was still young? How come Dinars son (another male) Sungai is just never there? Is he at breeding age yet? What their plans with him? What does he look like?

Feel free to link a recent photo of him if you guys have one.

If someone could answer my many questions that would be great :)
 
Johnpaul21 said:
Thanks Steve, Can anyone explain why I have never seen Sungai in person, never seen him on socials or on the internet except for when him and Sekera escaped their enclosure in 2017 when he was still young? How come Dinars son (another male) Sungai is just never there? Is he at breeding age yet? What their plans with him? What does he look like?

Feel free to link a recent photo of him if you guys have one.

If someone could answer my many questions that would be great :)
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Sungai has been seen on exhibit by several people, including @marmolady who saw him on exhibit with Lestari. Exhibit rotation is likely based around distancing him and Dinar.

Thanks to @marmolady, we have this photo of him:

upload_2025-3-12_16-58-31.jpeg
 

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Short article and photo of Puan with one of her babies( number four in late February 1974). Did not know she apparently birthed a baby before coming to Perth, might be incorrect information anyway.

upload_2025-3-12_17-22-49-png.775938

upload_2025-3-12_17-23-5-png.775939


source: The Age Tuesday 26 February, 1974 - page 14 (photo was taken February 25)

Unfortunately the baby, a male (born the day before 25 February 1974 to Puan, sired by Atjeh) died soon after on 8 March that same year.
 
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steveroberts said:
Short article and photo of Puan with one of her babies( number four in late February 1974). Did not know she apparently birthed a baby before coming to Perth, might be incorrect information anyway.

upload_2025-3-12_17-22-49-png.775938

upload_2025-3-12_17-23-5-png.775939


source: The Age Tuesday 26 February, 1974 - page 14 (photo was taken February 25)

Unfortunately the baby, a male (born the day before 25 February 1974 to Puan, sired by Atjeh) died soon after on 10 March that same year.
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Perth Zoo have/had this signage board, which mentions Puan gave birth to 11 offspring:

upload_2025-3-12_19-43-24.jpeg

As stated in the article, the first offspring was born prior to her arrival at Perth; as she only produced 10 offspring at Perth (albeit an impressive number):

Puan (Sumatran Orangutan)

Puan (F)
Born in Sumatra 01/01/1953
Arrived at Perth Zoo 31/12/1968
Died at Perth Zoo 18/06/2018

Puan gave birth to ten offspring at Perth Zoo:

Puteri (F)
Born at Perth Zoo 12/06/1970
Still at Perth Zoo
Sire: Atjeh

Puntjak (M)
Born at Perth Zoo 24/03/1972
Sent to Adelaide Zoo 03/08/1982
Died at Adelaide Zoo 00/12/1999
Sire: Atjeh

Unnamed (M)
Born at Perth Zoo 25/02/1974
Died at Perth Zoo 08/03/1974
Sire: Atjeh

Puspa (F)
Born at Perth Zoo 30/01/1975
Sent to Adelaide Zoo 21/12/1978
Sent to Perth Zoo 02/12/1981
Sent to Adelaide Zoo 13/01/2011
Sire: Atjeh

Puas (F)
Born at Perth Zoo 09/12/1976
Died at Perth Zoo 16/06/1978
Sire: Atjeh

Pusung (M)
Born at Perth Zoo 25/02/1978
Sent to Singapore Zoo 28/03/1989
Sent to Adelaide Zoo 11/10/2000
Died at Adelaide Zoo 15/04/2009
Sire: Atjeh

Putik (F)
Born at Perth Zoo 15/01/1980
Died at Perth Zoo 10/09/1980
Sire: Atjeh

Punya (F)
Born at Perth Zoo 05/06/1981
Died at Perth Zoo 05/06/2013
Sire: Atjeh

Puluh (M)
Born at Perth Zoo 23/09/1987
Sent to Chester Zoo 15/12/1996
Sire: Atjeh

Pulang (F)
Born at Perth Zoo 21/12/1993
Still at Perth Zoo
Sire: Atjeh
aas
 

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