Auckland Zoo orangutans to fly south to Christchurch

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Flipboard
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
Auckland Zoo orangutans to fly south to Christchurch
Auckland Zoo orangutans to fly south to Christchurch

Auckland : Auckland Zoo’s three Bornean orangutans will be flying south to Christchurch on Thursday to live in their temporary new home at Orana Wildlife Park.

Identified as Charlie (Male) and Melur (Female) and Wanita (Female), the orang-utans will be staying at Orana for around two years while Auckland Zoo builds its long planned-for South East Asian precinct. 

According to a report a lot of planning and hard work has been done in order to smoothly shift the trio with two road trips and a 2.5 hour flight on a Qantas cargo plane, including the design of their transportation crates.

“Our purpose-built marine aluminium crates are the equivalent of (super-sized) first-class seats – specifically designed to make Charlie, Melur and Wanita’s journey as comfortable and stress-free as possible. They have everything from just the right amount of ventilation, a comfortable floor which we’ll cover with bedding/browse, water drinkers and ‘hand holds’ – as being arboreal, orangutans like to have something to hold onto. We’ll also be treating them to a lunch-box of their favourite fruits and vegetables,” says Amy, who will be at Orana with a Primate team colleague and Auckland Zoo vet when the orangutans arrive.

“It’s a really great collaboration that will see myself and my Primate team colleagues working between Orana and Auckland, and will give Charlie, Melur and Wanita the best of both worlds. They’ll have the comfort and security of keepers they’re very familiar with, as well as the stimulation of a fantastic new environment and people”, Amy added.

While, on the other hand, Orana Wildlife Park chief executive Lynn Anderson claimed excitement to host the rare species.

“The transfer will be something very special for our team, and local people. Charlie, Melur and Wanita are going to be housed in our Great Ape Centre, next to our magnificent gorillas. This centre enables people to experience and connect with these impressive primates and learn about the threats these critically endangered animals face,” says Ms Anderson.

The construction of Aukland Zoo's new Sumatra-focused precinct is likely to be finished latest by 2020.