Perth Orangs- Puan and HsingHsing. » Perth Zoo

10-05-2007

I still haven't found another Orangutan anywhere worldwide that is older than Perth's Puan. Perth also had another female 'Mawar' who died about 1997 and that one may have been as old as 56. So Puan has only a couple of years to go and she could beat that... Anyone know of an older Orangutan anywhere?

10-05-2007

Mawas was a Bornean who was born in January 1941. When she died in Dec. 1997, she was almost 57.

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11-05-2007

Yes, I found Mawas in the Studbook... listed as born 1941, and died in 1997.

I think that could be some sort of World longevity record.

Current Orangutans at Perth Zoo
11-05-2007

Could you list for me the Orangutans currently at Perth? I'm particularly interested in any young born in the last few years and fathered by Hsing Hsing(if there are any)

Since newer accomodation was built, are the Orangs now kept together, in small group combinations or what? Is this a completely new development or an upgrade on their old enclosures?

Many thanks.

13-05-2007

when i visited in 2006, most of the colony was displayed seperately. there were some young animals together for socialisation purposes; there was a lot of information displayed about this. the exhibits are i believe, some new, some refurbished on the site of existing exhibits.
the original moats and fronts of the exhibits remain, but the side and back walls are not mad eof corrugated metal sheeting. the 'controversial' trees are new. in terms of landscaping its only really turf, but the animals were so active and climbing it really didnt bother me about what was happening at ground level. these are canopy animals, and this exhibit showcased their climbing skills to the max.
on the visitor's sid eof the fence was new signage and a new viewing platform. further upgrades of the interpretation, more landscaping, an aerial boardwalk are planned, with details on the 2020 document.

13-05-2007

So is it still about five seperate enclosures with a curved covered public passageway in front and you view the animals through glass? I think the walls behind were of brick and there was a dry moat at the front of each exhibit when I saw it. The enclosures were rather like 'yards' -some grassed, and some concrete floored, climbing frames were metal.

So my guess is the original enclosures have been upgraded, not a new exhibit?

13-05-2007

it began in 2002 with the development of a prototype-style exhibit. this was new, with new viewing bay, walls, no moat, new viewing platform. it is located right next door to the world of primates exhibit.
the older orang exhibits further up the hill have been refurbished with the installation of the new climbing strutctures etc, original glassed in viewing bays remain but reinterpreted to illustrate changed husbandary practices.

13-05-2007

Okay, I understand now- one completely new(2002) enclosure and the original enclosures have been upgraded too. That sounds a good compromise financially.

Perth Orangutan Update.
15-05-2007

Melbourne's 'Santan' and Perth's 'Dinar' were both born at Toronto Zoo, (in 1977 & 87 respectively) but from two different sets of w/c parents, so they are not related at all. One parent of each was still alive at Toronto in 2002.

At Perth, the old female Puan has(?) four daughters living, Puteri, Puspa,Punya and Pulang(her last offspring born 1993.). All her offspring (including several males,- Puntjak,Pusung, Puloh)) were fathered by her mate Atjeh. He also fathered another female(utama) with one of his daughters.

The Singapore -born male HsingHsing has (at least)three offspring, one each from Puan's three older daughters.. These are Sekara, Temara and Negara and are all female. Temara was the one sent back to Sumatra for rehabilitation to the wild.

the Canadian born male Dinar arrived in 2004 and fathered a male baby to the female Sekara( see above) in 2005. This must have been the first baby born after the twelve year period of non-breeding.

19-06-2007

I've just seen a photo by Palmelas of HsingHsing in his enclosure at Perth. The climbing equipment is a huge improvement from what I saw some years back when it was just a simple tall metal climbing frame. I presume this is still one of the original enclosures, but drastically remodelled now?

23-06-2007

The exhibit that Hsing is in is a new one, built a couple of years ago. The others are being/have been modified for the new towers. Hsing's exhibit is the largest and he shares it with Utama.

__________________
You're only young once, but anyone can be immature.

23-06-2007

1. Does that mean Dinar, Sekara and their baby are living in one of the original enclosures?

2. Do you think they are hoping to breed from Hsing and Utama, or are they together just for company?

3. Is Puan now living alone or still with her last daughter?