News
Farewell and welcome to the orangutans
The fact that zoos exchange animals as part of breeding programmes is nothing special and is routine - but the exchange of two orangutan groups is a tricky challenge. The transport logistics alone are complex, but then it is also important to ensure that the animals are comfortable when travelling and that they experience as little stress as possible. To ensure that everything runs smoothly and quickly, the zoo teams, veterinarians, authorities and the company specialising in the transport of zoo animals have to work perfectly hand in hand.
The background to the swap of the Frankfurt orangutan group for three female animals is in the nature of things: orangutans live solitary lives in their natural habitat. In the zoo, they are usually kept in harem groups. When they reach sexual maturity, males have to migrate and find their own territory. For the adolescent SAYANG, it was time to leave his birth group. The coordinator of the European breeding programme for Sumatran orangutans was able to recommend three suitable females to form a new group around the twelve-year-old male, all three from Pairi Daiza Zoo in Brugelette, Belgium. In return, the 23-year-old KEMBALI and the females ROSA and INDAH with their two cubs travelled to Belgium. In this case, it is the senior male who is moving away. He came to Frankfurt in 2017 - a young male of 15 years old at the time, still without the typical cheek ridges of adult males, which he only developed with his new position in the group.
"Orangutans are not only charismatic, they are also a key species at Frankfurt Zoo in particular, as they are closely associated with the important work of the Frankfurt Zoological Society on Sumatra, which Frankfurt Zoo regularly supports with income from the conservation euro. Here they are ambassadors for their wild and endangered conspecifics and I am therefore delighted that we in Frankfurt can make a contribution to the conservation of the species as part of the breeding programme. A new phase of life will begin for the young SAYANG and it will be exciting to watch it grow up," says Dr Ina Hartwig, Head of the Department of Culture and Science.
"It is difficult to say goodbye to "our" orangutans. Not only for the zoo team, but also for our conservation ambassadors, the volunteers and many visitors who were able to watch the two young animals grow up. But I am really delighted that the group around KEMBALI can stay together. The five will live in a large enclosure in the neighbourhood of another family group and will be able to gather many new impressions," says zoo director Dr Christina Geiger.
The orangutans were swapped yesterday, Monday. All the animals arrived safely and on schedule. "An orangutan keeper from Pairi Daiza Zoo recently visited Frankfurt to tell us everything we need to know about the three new zoo residents, their preferences and habits, and of course to get to know our animals, whose care he and his team have now taken over. This is precisely why two of our zookeepers have already been to Belgium. With this knowledge, we can make it easier for the animals to settle into their new environment," explains Dr Sabrina Linn, Head of the Scientific Department at Frankfurt Zoo. The three females - eleven, 23 and 31 years old - are moving directly into the ape house, albeit in the rear part of the facility. They will spend the first few days there to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings and their new keepers. They will then also be able to make contact with SAYANG very carefully.