Colchester Zoo Rajang ??
- Thread starter GillP
- Start date
I've seen the comments too but can't find anything further. I'm very worried - a sleepless night I think. Hope it's nothing serious.
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Definately Muggins he has been a big part of alot of peoples lives who visit the zoo, my kids have grown up visiting him and now they are zoo members to and he always is the highlight of our visits 
(well except my partners lol)
I am going on next Wednesday, he was sulking last time I went, hope all is well but would like to see him, just in case
(well except my partners lol)I am going on next Wednesday, he was sulking last time I went, hope all is well but would like to see him, just in case
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GillP
Well-Known Member
I last saw him on 24 Jan, and commented to my OH, for the very first time, that somehow he seemed old. I don't know what it was exactly ..... it looked as though he'd lost a bit more hair on the back of his neck, and, I dunno, think his demeanour seemed weary. In contrast, Tiga was hanging off the ceiling picking off bits of food that had been thrown onto the wire roof.
In the light of these rumours, which I hope are just that, I really hope I was wrong ...... yes, he is old, but you do worry when they start to look it. He's such an amazing animal and unless I'm mistaken you really can't get anywhere near as close - separated by just the glass - to a fully mature male orang anywhere else in the UK. In theory, you can at Chester, but I've never seen Puluh up close (nor have I read about anyone else doing so) in the same way you see the females and at Twycross, Batu always seems to be held in a back area whenever he's inside. I know you shouldn't impose human characteristics on animals but it's hard not to imagine some sort of 'bond' when Rajang really does appear to interact with the visitors watching him (e.g. by placing his hand on the glass by your face, or alternatively, by 'kissing' it) and seems to be watching them.
In the light of these rumours, which I hope are just that, I really hope I was wrong ...... yes, he is old, but you do worry when they start to look it. He's such an amazing animal and unless I'm mistaken you really can't get anywhere near as close - separated by just the glass - to a fully mature male orang anywhere else in the UK. In theory, you can at Chester, but I've never seen Puluh up close (nor have I read about anyone else doing so) in the same way you see the females and at Twycross, Batu always seems to be held in a back area whenever he's inside. I know you shouldn't impose human characteristics on animals but it's hard not to imagine some sort of 'bond' when Rajang really does appear to interact with the visitors watching him (e.g. by placing his hand on the glass by your face, or alternatively, by 'kissing' it) and seems to be watching them.
miss_piggy
Active Member
Colchester Zoo have posted a reply on their facebook page.....
Here is their reply:
There have been some comments left recently regarding the health of Rajang our elder male Orang-utan. We are happy to report that Rajang is fit and well, and there is nothing wrong regarding his health. As far as we are concerned, Rajang is as healthy as his 41 year old age allows him to be! Thank you for your concern and we hope this puts your minds at ease.
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Here is their reply:
There have been some comments left recently regarding the health of Rajang our elder male Orang-utan. We are happy to report that Rajang is fit and well, and there is nothing wrong regarding his health. As far as we are concerned, Rajang is as healthy as his 41 year old age allows him to be! Thank you for your concern and we hope this puts your minds at ease.
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I've had confirmation from Colchester Zoo to say the same - it was a rumour - I'm so relieved, I had a restless night to say the least!
I agree entirely, there will never be another Rajang, with whom you can interact so fully and he remembers you. Batu is magnificent, but he just does what orangs do, looks through you, Kibirah does sit and look at you but not in the smae was as Rajy does. I've never seen Puluh at the windows at Chester. I really hope he has many years to come as I will be devastated when anything happens to him. I hope the lack of hair is just his rough and tumbling with Tiga!! When I did the Keeper Experience on 28th Dec - he was magnificent, full of bounce, responded to all his training etc, he was in fine fettle then. Perhaps, Tiga's agility just makes Rajy look 'old' as he is more laid back? I just hope Tiga isn't wearing Rajy out!
What a relief anyway, here's hoping all will remain ok.
taun
Well-Known Member
Shame, As he is a hybrid wasting space for a pure breeding group!
taun
Well-Known Member
Thats fine, as that is my opinion.
And I fully know that Colchester will not get a breeding group until he passes thus my comment!
Is it not preferable for an orang to do what orangs do, rather than being 'humanised'?
Afraid I'm with taun on this one - his longevity's impressive but he is a bit of a cage-blocker!
(any room next to you on the gallows, taun?
)
GillP
Well-Known Member
Taun, you're stating the obvious here. Anyone who knows anything about Colchester knows there'll not be a breeding group until Rajang dies, and at that time, the subsequent establishment of a breeding group there would be greeted with enthusiasm I'm sure.
However, to say it's a shame that Rajang isn't ill and therefore on his way out seems unnecessarily blunt.
However, to say it's a shame that Rajang isn't ill and therefore on his way out seems unnecessarily blunt.
taun
Well-Known Member
(any room next to you on the gallows, taun?
Yeah the more the merrier, as this is only going to get even more heated with the replies!
Unfortunately so. They don't make a big thing of it but the giveaway is that the signs all just say 'Orang-Utan'. Colchester were originally planning to pair up the female Sumatran they had when Rajang died and have a Sumatran group - but Rajang outlived her. Now they have Tiga I suspect that means they'll go with Borneans. Assuming Rajang doesn't outlive Tiga in which case it could change again...
In the last 6 months or so Europe has lost its last Saiga, last Phayre's Langur and last Red-fronted Gazelle (just recently). I find these much more of a loss than a hybrid animal of two relatively common zoo species, however charismatic, particularly when he's the obstacle to zoo with a brand new (if not uncontroversial) house having a breeding group of such an endangered species. I'm not saying I wish him ill but I won't be worrying when time comes.
It's not as if he hasn't had a fair innings!
taun
Well-Known Member
Let me clearly state my opinions here, well I don't condone euthanasia really in most cases. Here I see a very strong case!
Sorry if am being blunt but this is my opinion on the matter, I visit zoos to view animals but also to support the conservation of the animals in their care. I see zoos as an ex-situ conservation project and therefore am thinking of the greater good of the ex-situ project, which in this case is the removal of Rajang from a place that could be used for breeding.
Seeing as I have not heard of any zoos with Bornean orangutans not breeding them and that we do need to increase numbers in captive of this species, I would like Colchester to move into a breeding situation as soon as possible.
Am also sorry again for being so BLUNT that am looking at the BIGGER picture here in regards to the captive population and their wild counterparts. I would also call for the shame with problems at other UK collections!