This photo of Satu was taken in June.
It has been more than six months since orangutan Clyde left the San Diego Zoo for Kansas, and I am happy to say that things could not be going better both here and in Kansas at Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure! (See Tanya’s previous post, Changes for Orangutans.) After his initial quarantine period, Clyde was introduced to his new exhibit and Rusa, his new, potential “girlfriend.” Both took to each other, and no problems have been observed between them. Previously, Rusa had been paired with younger males, and they were not to her liking. With Clyde, she immediately solicited him, choosing to be close to him (a behavior not seen with her before). In fact, the only issues the keepers there have reported is difficulty is getting them to separate from one another for husbandry needs. It is so great knowing that Clyde is doing so well and that the keepers at his new zoo love him and are taking such great care of him.
Our own introductions with Karen and Satu went with little of the issues we were expecting. Satu was excited to be with Karen and chose to spend nights with her, especially at the beginning. But a lot of the breeding behavior that we were worried about never became an issue. Karen would submit to Satu, and we had little-to-no rough behavior. Karen does have hair loss on her back as a result of her contact with Satu, but since the breeding has decreased in duration and frequency, we expect her hair to grow back in soon.
It was the girls that had to work out their issues. Orangutans are solitary by nature, and females do not interact with each other. With three females on exhibit, they had to work out territory and tolerance for each other. We have noticed an increased use of the exhibit by Indah, and anyone who has spent any time watching the orangutans can tell you that Indah has her favorite spot and tends to stay there. We are very happy about this turn of events, as it lets us know that she is more comfortable in the exhibit without Clyde in the area.
We can already see changes in Satu as he grows into adulthood. His hair is longer, more wavy, and forming dreadlocks. His weight is up (190 pounds or 86 kilograms now!), and his checkpads continue to get larger. He is becoming an adult! Fortunately, he is keeping his same, sweet behavior. He has father Clyde’s disposition. Keep watch at the orangutan and siamang exhibit for more changes to come with Satu.
Tanya Howard is a keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
So Satu is the son of Clyde? Small world. Thank you for the interesting (and reassuring) update about our orange friends.
Love the article about the orangs! Glad to read that Clyde loves his new home and his new girlfriend! Sounds like the orangs at SDZ are doing pretty good. Satu and Karen becoming boyfriend and girlfriend? Hope so! Would love to see a baby orang on the apecam soon!
I’ve got some great info about gorillas that I want to share with you all that I know you will be very interested to read. I know that you like to keep our comments limited to the great apes at SDZ, but this info from Atlanta Zoo will be of great interest to the ape keepers and the vets.
zooatlanta (dot) org/home/article_content/gorilla_ultrasound_procedure
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Satu breeds with both Karen and Indah, but we will not be having a baby any time soon. Due to Karen’s health history (she had open heart surgery at age 2), she won’t be having any offspring.
Thanks for the update on Clyde and Rusa. She just wanted an older, more experienced, fella.
Are the Siamangs still at breeding age? They are always so lovey-dovey when I see them on the cam.
The siamangs are still of breeding age, but since they have already had seven offspring together, we will not be breeding them. Their genetics are well represented in the population. Their offspring have offspring!
Thanks for the update, Tanya.
It’s so nice to hear Clyde is doing well in his new home and that it seems he has a ‘love interest’. Good news about Indah and I hope things continue going great for all the crew.
Do you know which Siamang that seems to enjoy playing with Cinta? I am assuming it is Eloise cause the other one doesn’t seem to want to join in the fun. I noticed the picture of Satu on the blog that was taken in June and now he already looks different from that pic which shows the changes are happening! I enjoy watching the Orangs and watch them everyday when i get a chance. Karen also seems to love playing with Cinta as well. Janey seems to be a nurturing figure to Cinta and he loves her company as well. I noticed Indah coming down from the structure more than usual and climbing the bamboo poles near the viewing window. I was surprised by that. Enjoyed your blog Tanya!
It is usually Unkie (the male) seen playing with Cinta. I have never seen Eloise playing.
Oh i was way off with which Siamang it was lol! I just always assumed it was the female. Thanks for responding back Tanya!
I thought Satu was Indah’s mate? Do they share?
I’m not an expert or anything but I noticed Satu mates with Karen and Indah.
Oh my, so orangutans aren’t monogamous.
Male orangutans breed with multiple females that are in close proximity. Very few animals are monogamous. Gibbons are one of the few that pair bond for the life of the mate.
Thanks for your reply, Tanya. Can you answer a question? Where do the cement stairs lead to? Do they have little caves underground? I found the Ape cam a couple of months ago and am totally addicted to watching them. Kudos to the cam operator!! He/she does an excellent job of zooming in for closeups.
Moderator’s note: I can answer this one! The stairs led to the off-exhibit bedroom areas for the apes. You might enjoy reading a blog post series, written a few years ago by keeper Yvette Kemp, about each ape in the exhibit, their personalities, and how they spend their time in the bedrooms. Start with the post Time with the Siamangs and work your way back!
Thanks so much, I’m off to read!!
That was a very interesting and informative read! I never thought they had that much interaction with humans. Whoever wrote that article is a very good writer, I could picture Karen spitting water at her.
Hey Joyce….i read that link too that was posted on your comment and it was excellent. I could just envisioned their different personalities and also Karen spitting water lol. I wonder if their characteristics have changed since then and how they have adjusted to Clyde being gone especially Satu.
Just saw a siamang on the apecam sitting on the rocks looking soooo relaxed with his arms crossed, his feet crossed, and his chin sitting on his arms! He looks so comfy sitting there and not worrying about anything! (I think this a male!)
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
I forgot to ask, but how do you all get all the orangutans and siamangs to come in at the end of the day?
Tanya responds: Getting the orangutans and siamangs is at night is not a problem. They like to be inside (there is food and enrichment waiting for them). We just have to be sure to bring them in before dark, as they nest at night and go to sleep at dusk.
How is it working with Cinta? He looks like ball of fun
Happy Turkey Day, Great Apes!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Hi! Just read about some sad news coming from Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois. The newest baby western lowland gorilla born to momma Bana on Nov. 16, 2011, has died earlier today. Bana was a first time mom. Keepers found out about it this morning when they noticed Bana carrying her baby girl in her arms and not moving. They don’t know exactly when the baby died whether it was last nite or this morning, but they gave Bana a few hours to mourn her baby in peace. A necropsy will be done to determine the cause of death.
It’s always sad to hear of something like this, especially when it is a baby gorilla or any baby great ape. These animals are endangered in the wild, and they need our help to make sure that their species are around for a long time to come. Vets being able to learn how this baby gorilla died will help them to find better ways to make sure that the gorilla moms have good healthy pregnancies, and that their babies are born healthy and able to survive the first few days. Hopefully, Bana will be able to have another baby gorilla soon.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Gorilla keepers, can you write an article about the process that gorilla moms go thru after they lose their baby gorillas? I have seen on TV and read about how they carry their lifeless babies around for hours, not giving up on them, and refusing to acknowledge that their babies have died. To me, it sounds like a mourning process that they go thru just like what elephants go thru when a member of their herd dies such as what happened at WAP when Umoya passed away. That should be very interesting reading for all of us that love gorillas and other great apes. Thanks!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: Fortunately, we haven’t lost a gorilla baby in a long time, Chari. Our hearts go out to the gorillas and staff at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
We just visited San Diego Zoo the past December 19th. One of the fav animals in my family are orangutans, but sadly that day the exhibition was empty, any idea what happened?
Thanks!
Moderator’s note: There were some modifications made to the orangutans’ exhibit. We are sorry you didn’t get to see these wonderful animals during your visit but hope you enjoyed watching the antics of our other primates.
How is Karen fairing without Clyde? I’ve seen so many old pictures with her snuggling up to Clyde, and I also read somewhere that she had great affection for him because he “cared for her” after her surgery. When I see those photos of Karen with her arm around him, I wonder what it was like for her to lose him. Did she show signs of missing him? Has she become closer to Cinta as a result? That’s who I see her with most on the Ape Cam. Thank you so much for your blog. I love being able to follow these guys. I wish Clyde’s new home had a cam!! Are they planning to allow Rusa to have a baby? Karen’s mom Karta is pregnant–Karen and Karta look so alike!
Catherine, here is what Tanya had to say:
Karen has adjusted well since Clyde’s departure. She definitely missed him after he left. Satu was very interested in Karen (and still is!) when they were put back together. Karen was not as enthused with him as he was with her at first. In recent weeks, I have seen a change in Karen’s behavior. Satu has really changed in appearance – his secondary male characteristics developing. As a result, I have seen Karen sidling up to Satu, putting her arm around him and grooming him! This is great news. She seems to really like him now. Most nights Karen and Satu share sleeping quarters.
Karen and Cinta play a lot together. Most of the time it is initiated by Cinta but I think Karen enjoys the interaction, too.
I’m sure the Clyde and Rusa’s keepers would love to have a baby! We will have to wait and see and hope for a little one