Perth Zoo in Australia have done it with an older male before...
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park Port Lympne Wild Animal Park News 2024
- Thread starter Smaggledagle
- Start date
Perth Zoo in Australia have done it with an older male before...
In regards to rewilding...
I recall that much of the reason that the gorilla programme is/was as successful as it is/was is that I don't think it was the founders who were reinstated. It was the offspring; and it is well known that the Gorillariums allow for most of the natural behaviours of gorillas. That's not to say it was perfect but there have been multiple success stories.
But I think orangutans are rather different story. Disregarding that these are the only orangs that Aspinall has had thus far; Gorillas are largely terrestrial; but orangutans are anything but that. I hope this will be taken into account.
I recall that much of the reason that the gorilla programme is/was as successful as it is/was is that I don't think it was the founders who were reinstated. It was the offspring; and it is well known that the Gorillariums allow for most of the natural behaviours of gorillas. That's not to say it was perfect but there have been multiple success stories.
But I think orangutans are rather different story. Disregarding that these are the only orangs that Aspinall has had thus far; Gorillas are largely terrestrial; but orangutans are anything but that. I hope this will be taken into account.
Baringogiraffe12
Well-Known Member
Both were born at Zurich Zoo in 2007 and 2012.
Its true that young gorillas born there probably have a better chance of wild reintegration than much older ones from their earliest imports, though one of the only survivors of their most disastrous gorilla rewilding efforts was in fact Djala, the original silverback and founder member of his group. Though he now lives(afaik) on an island and is still(?) on his own and in what can be described as a partially wild state. Its not known exactly what happened to the other gorillas that died but it seems human intervention of some sort may have been responsible, so probably the whole scenario was an artificial situation.
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Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Lovely to know that they are Sumatran, given that, excluding Monkey World who only keeps juveniles as far as I am aware, Chester is the only other holder of this species in the United Kingdom, compared to eight holders in the case of the Borneans. A very exciting acquisition indeed.
I mean, he hasn't let genetic purity or origin stop him when it comes to rewilding in the past....
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Good news to see them getting a new home, not sure why it is badged as a 'rescue'. Were the zoo intending to destroy them? Given the rarity it seems surprising they need to be rescued from an established zoo.
I have to say I am never comfortable with the 'rescue and rewild' statements from the organisation, given they breed animals in captivity and run a zoo in every meaning of the word. It means any animal going there has a bit of an uncertain future. They look very nice all the same and hopefully it will be a good place for them to live.
cough cough honey badger cough coughI mean, he hasn't let genetic purity or origin stop him when it comes to rewilding in the past....
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Branding it as a rescue is very silly indeed and is clearly a marketing technique, and it does seem a little insulting to Zurich unless there is some detail that I am missing. That said, considering the quality of their former home in Switzerland, the orangutans may well view this as a rescue of sorts!
@Kalaw
@Philipine eagle
The indoors is a little bigger, with a second similarly sized room through the trapdoor on the left, but that is all their outdoor space. The only weak point at one of the greatest zoos in the world, but it is very much a weak point! Not sure what their housing will be like at Port Lympne, but it shouldn't be harder for them to beat this...
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
There were quite a few more than just two on my visit (August last year) so there should still be a few left, although not sure exactly how many. I doubt they do plan to phase the species out, as a major new orangutan enclosure, 'Sumatra Regenwald,' is planned for an unspecified time after 2031, although given how long the wait for it may potentially be, and how poor the current housing is, temporarily moving away from apes may not be the worst idea. The gorillas, who have a similarly poor enclosure elsewhere within the Affenhaus, will thankfully be receiving an improved enclosure much sooner ('Kongo,' opening in 2029), although even still, for whatever reason, the zoo is prioritising renovations to their already-excellent big cat exhibits and the Pantanal complex, as well as the construction of a cable car ride. This article on Zurich's website explains in good detail what their plans for the future are.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info and link to the plans, looks like it will be a great improvement, still can't shape it as a 'rescue' but that's Aspinall for you
Thanks for the information. It’s a big shame they’re prioritising other areas instead of new homes for apes.
Thanks for the info and link to the plans, looks like it will be a great improvement, still can't shape it as a 'rescue' but that's Aspinall for you
Yes, it’s extremely disrespectful to their colleagues in Zurich. But the Aspinall’s have history of antagonising other institutions
This comment probably warrants a Thread all of its own!
Yes, it’s extremely disrespectful to their colleagues in Zurich. But the Aspinall’s have history of antagonising other institutions
Although some institutions haven’t always helped themselves of course!
Of course - those comments have rarely been without merit!Although some institutions haven’t always helped themselves of course!
In my opinion given what I been told that the orangutans at aspinalls will have acccess to the gardens outside in the future wingham can’t compete for enclosure space and design which aspinall will provide. Wingham is probably my least favourite park out of the Kent lot