Sometimes it can get pretty noisy as it did when we were there on a Friday morning. We found Busar, the big male orangutan displaying his very throaty, territorial and loud voice.
And we found the Siamang learning to keep out of his way. Primate keeper Lynn Myers told us that Busar may well be a father before the end of this year, "We are so excited here."
A regular 'over the counter' pregnancy test was positive for the zoo's oldest female orang – Sara and her pal Saab (sigh-boo) may also be having a little one. Busar has successfully courted each of these ladies still Lynn Myers is cautious talking about baby Orangs, "I won't believe it till it happens."
As the head primate keeper, Lynn Myers is cautiously optimistic that Sara's pregnancy will go well, "It's just gonna add a whole other dimension to the exhibit and to everybody's lives who are involved. For the Orangs, the Siamang, the keepers and our guests."
Orangutans are extremely engendered in the wild. And in captivity accredited zoos, like this one, breed them only at the request of a breeding protocol: the species survival plan.
It insures genetic diversity and healthy zoo animals. It is managed says Zoo Director Scott Barton via the internet, "So it's a bit of a combination of computerized dating and family planning. He says if Sara's pregnancy is a success the little one should arrive before the end of November.
Lynn Myers says the keepers are working to insure a successful pregnancy, "We're all really looking forward to it." You can bet zoo visitors who flock to the exhibit every day will be back to see what may be two new baby Orangutans.
But you don't have to wait until the Fall to see a new baby at this zoo! In fact one of the giraffe's is about to give birth any day now.
