ZOO NEGARA FEBRUARY 2009
Orangutan Experience

Volunteers:
• Izzy Lim (UK)
• Jessica Atherden (UK)
• Tess McCarthy (UK)
• Conny Knudsen (Denmark)
• Michael Urup Christensen (Denmark)



Our month got off to a good start when we received packages from America! Some of our past volunteers had responded to my appeal for Boomer Balls (orang-utan proof toys!) and had 5 of the things sent over from the USA. Trying these out with Tsunami, Chokey and Ana was great fun! Chokey and Tsu were very frustrated at not being able to bite into the heavy duty plastic, whilst Ana treated her pretty pink ball as if it were the best thing that’s ever happened to her, cradling it under one arm, or sitting quietly threading leaves through the holes we had drilled in it. Thank you so much to Amy Parker, Jo Dixon and Jocelyn Howard for their kind sponsorship of these cool new toys!

Enrichment:
As well as the daily husbandry activities of cleaning out cages, raking the exhibits and preparing food, the group also took part in the following enrichment activities…..




• Dragon fruit and papaya smoothies –we used the blender donated by the November team to whip up a nice dragon fruit and papaya smoothie for the apes.
• Bottle treats –using 1.5l plastic bottles the volunteers created bottle treats by adding some flavouring, a few raisins and a blob of honey. As usual our chimp Joe kept his bottle for the next few days so he could refill it from the tap and carry it around in case he felt thirsty at any time!
• Sock treats –using brightly coloured football socks, we stuffed scrunched up newspaper inside and a few pieces of date or sunflower seeds, before tying them tightly in knots. Some of these were given directly to the apes, whilst others were tied on the outside of cages to encourage the boys and girls to work that bit harder for their treats!
• Box treats –a really favourite for our orangutans, we filled up large cardboard boxes with brightly coloured shredded paper plus lots of leaves and a few titbits to keep them occupied whilst in the exercise enclosures.
• Banana stumps –cutting down a big banana tree and then dividing up the stump into sections, these were given to the apes to supplement their diet and as a special treat. The chimps Joe and Max especially enjoy these!
• Ice Blocks –Another favourite of our apes, especially on a scorching hot day, the volunteers made ice blocks using cordial and cranberries, which went down very well.
• Boomer balls –we drilled holes in 3 of the 5 boomer balls donated by past volunteers and put titbits inside (right). Long after they had gotten their treats the orangutans had fun throwing the boomers around, catching them, rolling them, standing on them, filling them with water……. What fun to watch!
• Durian –this spiky fruit can make up a large proportion of a male orangutans diet in the wild (females are smaller and may lack the strength to open the fruit) when it is available. It is such a favourite Conny and Michael, our two Danish volunteers bought 2 of the smelly things for the apes. We made sure the females got their share too by opening the hard cases (they look like a giant conker) and distributing the flesh between all the orangutans and the chimpanzees too. They loved it!
• Mirrors and bubbles –as always playtime is encouraged by showing the younger apes their reflections and blowing bubbles for them to chase and play with.
• Ball cocks –specifically aimed at our overweight orang-utan, Awang, these plastic balls were drilled, filled with a few treats and wired to the ceiling to encourage him to climb. This he did, but he spread his activity out so thinly over the week that I’m not sure he burned many calories. Could be back to the drawing board in our effort to get him moving!
• Leaf collecting –we made sure that most days the orangutans were supplied with plenty of leaves. This not only enables them to make nests but also to supplement their diets and to self-medicate should they be feeling under the weather.

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