Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
is puluh the male sumatran orangutan leaving if so why and is a new male coming in for him
Chester Zoo puluh
- Thread starter Jordan-Jaguar97
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I hope not, he's my favourite. Padang his son is going to Prague very soon.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Well if he is going i find it very strange that Chester would get rid of him given that he is a proven breeding male that can live with the females and young most of the time.But i`m sure somebody will ask the question to Tim on the walk and talk next month for you!
As well as being a proven breeder, he is arguably the popular public favourite due to his striking appearance and those long 'dreads.' I find that the public will stop and watch him for longer than they will watch one of the younger males or the females.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Him being a popular animal would not stop Chester from sending him away if thats what they have decided,to back that up I give you Californian Sealions and Tejas as 2 examples!
Good points. I know Chester would put the conservation aspect first, but I didn't know if anything like public popularity is ever considered slightly (to increase donations/adoptions etc). You are right though, Chester do put conservation first, and quite rightly too
I suppose a new male could breed with any of the females whereas they won't want Puluh to breed with Utara when she gets a bit older. I'd like his genes to spread via his children though rather than him travelling!
Maybe this is a reference to his son Padang, who is leaving shortly to go to Prague Zoo?
I'd be rather surprised if there were any plan to move Puluh. Chester have a stable and compatible group and can continue breeding from the adult trio (if required to), while removing the younger animals as they mature(as happened with Jambi and soon with Padang) so his genes will be spread into the European population without moving a popular animal.
I have no inside knowledge at all, but I have previously thought that there might be a case for moving Puluh to another zoo while he is in his prime. Remember that the females are full sisters, so that all their offspring are very closely related and each will need an unrelated partner to avoid in-breeding; this won't be impossible for 6 offspring - but will get progressively harder if Puluh continues to breed with Emma and Subis. It might reduce the studbook keeper's headaches in future if Puluh were exchanged for an unrelated male in the next couple of years.
Alan
Alan
But as there are no other Sumatrans in the UK apart from Jersey they are currently more likely to go to other (unrelated) groups in Europe anyway, as with Padang (though interestingly his new partner at Prague will be Mawar from Jersey!). There are TAG recommendations out for more Zoos to keep Sumatran orangutans as they are so much rarer than Borneans in the wild. However although this sounds ideal, building new enclosures for them or changing over from existing Bornean stock isn't a simple matter and very time consuming. For example; Bristol is one UK zoo that have indicated a fresh interest in Sumatran Orangs, but how long will it take for their 'Conservation Park' to become reality?
In the meantime, with the numbers of Sumatran and Bornean orangs in European zoos outside the UK roughly equal, there are plenty of Sumatran groups still breeding in Europe and young may soon become difficult to place. So I think perhaps an equally likely scenario to an exchange of males is for Chester to be asked to stop breeding them, at least on a temporary basis, at some stage, and perhaps quite soon.
And two other reasons I don't think Chester would want to do an exchange, at least soon;
1. Both females (Emma & Subis) have small offspring so will not be breeding again soon.
2. A new male could not be trusted with the youngest offspring, (or any of them perhaps) and it would mean splitting up the 'happy family' group which would not make for such a good display as they have now.
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johnstoni
Well-Known Member
This is exactly why Colchester should rehome it's younger male Bornean when Rajang passes away (obviously we would hope this is not for some time, he deserves a long-retirement in the comfort of the new complex). Colchester is best place to create a new group of Sumatrans when this happens.
I would like to see Howletts devote some of the old gorilla complex to this species, given the recent census on wild lowland gorilla numbers. I'm not saying gorilla conservation is not an absolute priority, but I think their original accommodation would work for orangs, with plenty of facilities for the breeding and bachelor gorilla groups across the two parks (although of course they would not exhibit well, and generate rather depressing photographs to populate the web, which of course is a concern for all zoos these days).
I would like to see Howletts devote some of the old gorilla complex to this species, given the recent census on wild lowland gorilla numbers. I'm not saying gorilla conservation is not an absolute priority, but I think their original accommodation would work for orangs, with plenty of facilities for the breeding and bachelor gorilla groups across the two parks (although of course they would not exhibit well, and generate rather depressing photographs to populate the web, which of course is a concern for all zoos these days).
I know Colchester originally put a request in to the EEP for Sumatran orangutans for their new enclosure, but somewhow it didn't happen- Djambe( their existing Sumatran female) died leaving hybrid Rajang. And I can see how they can't really take any other Orangs i.e a seperate pair, given the design with single exhibit enclosures inside and out). I also think the outdoor enclosure is HIGHLY unsuitable as it is for virtually any Orangs (!), let alone active Sumatrans, but that would not stop them I'm sure. But they will be in a position to take Sumatrans in the future though. However, if the young male 'Tiga' is still there(i.e. hasn't been transferred elsewhere) when Rajang goes, they may be just as likely to simply provide him with a Bornean female or two.
Howletts- historically have never kept them because John Aspinall (I believe) 'didn't like' them so had no interest. But things there are different these days and I agree some of their Gorilla cages would be absolutely IDEAL for Orangutans- far more so than most other Orangutan exhibits in the UK- particularly the 'Gorillariums' at Howletts with their high roofs and network of climbing opportunities.
Another UK Zoo I would like to see take on Sumatrans is Paignton. Their housing is good (outside is the very best) but they are achieving nothing with their existing Bornean group- a good excuse perhaps to start afresh with new animals! (I would suggest the existing animals could be split among other Bornean Orangutan holders).
I would also like to see Edinburgh go back into (Sumatran) Orangutans now they've proved they can build quality Ape exhibits- 'Budongo' for the Chimps.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
After thinking that Puluh being popular shouldn't be a barrier to him being moved, I rather hypocritically thought 'they can't move my orangutans' when reading your suggestion about Paignton
However, although I would miss three of them, one in particular, I would like to see something positive happening there. Maybe your solution is the answer.I shouldn't worry, Gigit, I very much doubt there will be any change of such a radical nature at Paignton..
I don't think it's revealing any secrets to say that Puluh is very unlikely to be going anywhere else (although never say never).
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Agreed don`t think it is revealing any big secret that Chester has no plans for moving him on at this time if at all!