Primate volunteers help us collect data on orangutan behavior.
Much of my time has been spent focusing on koala research both at the San Diego Zoo and overseas in koala habitats in Australia. However, that is not all that I do or am interested in! A few years ago, I decided to go back to focusing some of my efforts on primate research. Most of my previous work with koalas focused upon mate choice and factors that influence it, but with primates, the research opportunities at the Zoo are more focused on the social interactions within groups of different primates. Specifically, this entails undertaking a lot of behavioral observation work, otherwise known as standing in front of exhibits and recording behaviors for many hours.
As I’m involved with several different research projects, time for me is not always plentiful, as I am sure you can all relate to. In order for me to accomplish this expansion of my work, I either needed to clone myself or enlist the help of a dedicated group of individuals. For me, the choice was easy: I decided on the latter! Who are these people, you ask? They are our very own primate observation volunteers. They all come with unique backgrounds and personalities but share a singular goal: to watch primates and record their behaviors to help expand the behavioral knowledge we need to maximize welfare and bolster breeding success.
This incredible team of volunteers has helped to reach this goal by tirelessly collecting data, sometimes in the rain, and, in return, they have seen some wonderful animal behavior. Any one of them can tell you who likes to hang out with whom in the bonobo world, which, they can tell you, changes daily and sometimes even hourly! They also can tell you about the orangutan soap opera that continues day to day with Satu’s ladies vying with each other for his attention. They can even tell you which capuchins will gladly come to the front of the exhibit for a chance that someone walking by will give them attention!
These volunteers get to do what is one of my favorite things about my work: really focus upon what animals do on a daily basis. And for me, it’s particularly exciting, as I get to expand my ability to collect more data on more species of primates. Without their help, these studies would not be possible, and for that I am grateful to all of them.
If you’re at the Zoo or the Safari Park and you see someone in front of any of these exhibits with a clipboard and stopwatch, they might be one of these primate volunteers.
Jennifer Tobey is a behavioral biologist in the Behavioral Biology Division of the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Read her previous post, Koala Headlines.
Are there any plans for Indah to have another baby? I was also curious as to how much does Satu weigh and how are the relationships between all the orangatans and siamangs?
I was wondering the same thing about Indah…any plans on a baby? Also is she still able to have another baby? I don’t know how old they are when they stop breeding.
Hi Tia and Liz,
I have part of your question sent off to keepers to answer, the one I know you are dying to find out about Indah. All I can say is yes, she is still of breeding age, but stay tuned for a response from the keeper staff about that part.
Now, as far as the relationship between the orangutans and siamangs…we are one of the only zoos that has the combination of primates, and they are wonderful together. But that doesn’t mean that there are some amusing antics. For instance, if you stick around the exhibit long enough you might see Unkie (the male siamang) steal food from Satu and even chase Satu around. Indah tends to willingly share food with Eloise (the female siamang). I think the funniest thing that one of my observers saw was about a 15-minute keep-away when Unkie took a ice treat from Satu and kept it from him by swinging above Satu’s head until it accidentally slipped from his hands and Satu “won” the prize. Unkie then sat next to Satu hoping that he could “win” it back.
A question about the oragatans. Are they aggressive at all? As Satu gets bigger and stronger, does he show any agression toward his keepers. He seems to be pretty laid back, except when he’s after the siamong that keeps taking his food. And a question about Karen, since she was hand raised, does she get to spend time outside of the bedroom or cage where there kept, with any of the keepers?
Hi Kathy,
I will let a keeper jump in more here about Satu and his personality, but no, the keepers do not go in with any of the orangutans, including Karen.
it would be lovely to have an update on the orangatans antics. hint hint
I agree Paula. It would be nice to hear all about them. You watch them on the camera’s, but you don’t ever see anything about them. There should be some sort of open forum, like they have over in the Panda section, with a moderator who can answer questions.. people are interested in knowing, why have a camera, and not be able to ask anyone a question. Maybe someone would change this,,,hint hint
Moderator’s note: We are working on obtaining answers to these questions. Patience, Kathy.
Hi Paula and Kathy,
You can see some antics of the orangutans and siamangs in my answer above. They really are a fun bunch to watch! I personally really enjoy watching the siamangs and their interactions with each other and the orangutans. The siamangs think they are bigger than the orangutans, and they definitely appear to be the bosses out in the exhibit at times. I have actually witnessed Unkie walk bipedally toward Satu with his arms in the air and Satu back away from him. And then there are the female orangutans: they are an interesting bunch themselves. Karen tends to be the little instigator and loves to get the attention of Satu and the public. Janey loves to come see people at the windows, too, but is not fond of Karen, but I have seen her grooming Karen. Indah tends to move about the exhibit like the grass is hot lava (ever play that game as a kid?) She prefers the ropes and trees but will run like it’s hot lava across the grass to come to the windows as well, but will only be hanging out in the bamboo by then. I hope that lets you into the world of our orangutans and siamangs!
Thank you for this view on their antics. You give them such personalities!
I would love to watch the koala’s all day. I know they sleep 20 hours out of 24
but it is one of my favorite animals. Been to the zoo 3 times and have to send there and watch them. Maybe some day I will get back to see the new enclouser
but being in PA it makes it tuff.
Moderator’s note: Your wish is being granted, Susan! With the completion of our new Australian Outback habitat, schedule to open the end of May 2013, we will have a Koala Cam!
Oooooo! Another cam. Being on the other side of the states, it sure is great being able to watch the animals. There goes the day for not getting anything done. Not that I’m complaining.
Thank you and all the donors for this opportunity.
You have made my day I love those little guys. My birthday is thursday and that will be the best gift. Thank you all at the zoo you do a great job.
Moderator’s note: Excellent! Just know the Koala Cam won’t be live, I believe, until the koala habitat opens in May.
I can wait.
I stand corrected, Susan. I just learned that Koala Cam will go live the end of this month (January), with the cam focused on koalas living in their temporary quarters across from our 4-D Theater.
That will be great. Thank everyone at the zooyou are tops and do such great work.
Now koalas and their antics are a whole other thing….I hope you get to see some of it when the camera goes live!
I ALSO WONDER ABOUT HAVING ANY LITTLE ONES. BLAZE AT ZOO
ATLANTA JUST HAD A BOY.
Thanks for this! It would be great to have more info and blog activity. Love seeing them bundle up in burlap in these chilly mornings.
Maybe I need to write down all the fun and post it periodically…glad you all like to hear about the antics and fun at orangutans and siamangs! I know the keepers have more stories, too…
Thank you Jennifer for some of answers.. I would love and probably others would as well, for you to blog about the oragutans and siamongs!!
I love to watch them. And I bet the keepers have tons of stories:)
Your stories and the keepers’ would be so great to read. We know you’re all working hard for the animals — that makes whatever you can share all the more valued.
Thank you for the descriptions of the orangutan and siamang behaviors. I also would love to read more regular updates about them. I know you have lots to do but if you could take a few minutes once or twice a week (or daily
) to tell us the latest, it would make us smile!
Do you receive any updates about Cintah, who was reportedly moved to the ST. Louis Zoo a few months ago? I’ve tried searching on the internet but have found nothing.
Hi Barbara,
And yes, Indah’s little man left us, but I have not had time to check in on him; let me see if I can get a keeper to respond about that, too…In the meantime, enjoy your observations of the orangutans and siamangs…. 
I know it would be fun for daily updates, but unfortunately I don’t have time for that, but I will see if I can get some keepers to jump in here or blog about them, too.
Thank you for replying. I’m sure I (probably many of us) have more time to watch the orangutans and siamangs than you have to blog, and so will appreciate anything more frequent. We only ask because we love them!
Hi, great ape fans! I found out some wonderful news from Atlanta Zoo earlier today! You remember that I told you about Blaze, AZ’s 16 year old Sumatran Orangutan mom, was pregnant a few months ago. Well, she has given birth to a baby boy on January 10, 2013 by Cesearean section. Blaze is the third orang mom to have a Csection to deliver her baby. The vets performed the Csection on Blaze due to her small size, and the difficult natural birth that she had a couple of years ago when she tried to deliver her last baby orang who passed away right after birth. Blaze’s Csection was already planned a few months ahead of time by the keepers and vets so that Blaze’s baby will be delivered in a safe manner. At the time of this news, Blaze was recovering nicely from the procedure, the baby orang was doing well, and plans are to reunite mom and baby real soon when Blaze has healed from the surgery. A group of remarkable people were involved in the Csection at AZ, a team of specialists that were on hand for the big day:
3 OB/GYNs, 2 veterinarian anesthesiologists, 2 neonatalogists, 1 respiratory therapist, 1 nurse, and 1 cardiologist. Everyone is very happy with the successful birth of Blaze’s baby. The dad, 33 year old Benny, is in seperate quarters, but plans are in the works to have Mom Blaze, her baby orang, and Dad Benny brought together soon.
AZ is also expecting another baby to be born sometime this spring from one of the other great apes in their group.
Was on the apecam, and there was one of the orangutans sitting on the metal rod of the climbing structure. She was very composed, well balanced as she sat there relaxing just contemplating something on her mind. Then, the structure was moving a little bit when an orang or siamang was climbing on it, and this lady orang sitting on it just stayed put keeping her sitting balance intact! They are remarkable, aren’t they?
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
That’s a very interesting article on Blaze, I read that when L.H. posted about Atlanta zoo had a new baby. Hope all goes well when they reunited them all together again. Probably the female you saw on metal rod was Indah. She rarely comes down. And Karen who’s picture is on this blog, always stomps or rolls around. She always looks like she’s mad at world!! I think the keepers have there hands full with her!
What great news! Thanks for sharing. It’s heartwarming to find that people care so much about these endangered creatures who are so intelligent and gentle. As you nite, they have remarkable poise. Time to learn a few lessons from them,
Question: How do you get the orangutans and siamangs to come in at night?
Moderator’s Note: Keepers call them in.
When I was at the Zoo about a month ago a docent told me that they thought that the birth control had been taken out of Indah. There was also a lot of mating going on. But I think it’s Karen or maybe Janey that likes to look in the women’s purses. She is so cute like she wants to have a mirror and some lipstick. Please keep us informed I just love the Orangs and Eloise and Ukie ad their antics. Thank you for all you do for the animals.
I never get tired of watching these guys. Could watch them all day! Can’t wait to visit the zoo someday and see them in person. They are all sooo cute with their own distinct personalities. Did anyone else notice the Fu Manchu beard Satu is sporting? lol. Thanks SDZ for all of your hard work and care for these wonderful animals
OK, great ape fans! I have an update from Atlanta Zoo about Blaze and her new baby orang! Blaze is healing well, eating and drinking more, becoming more active. She also has shown some interest in her baby boy when keepers let her see him in person. There have been slow contact intros that are ongoing with mom and baby. Blaze has handled her baby pretty well, but will get a little bit unsettled when he starts crying, then she doesn’t know exactly what to do with him. She is improving on her responses towards her little boy, tho. The one thing that bothers Blaze alot is when her baby grabs onto her fur and pulls it when he climbs up on her. She’s not used to that yet, but keepers are hoping that this will be resolved with more contact intros and will get used to that from her baby a little bit at a time. Keepers are going to keep doing these contact intros with Blaze and her baby boy for as long as they see improvements every day. It’s a long process, and it takes alot of patience from everybody that’s involved with this. Keep your fingers crossed!
Blaze’s baby boy is doing good with his feedings and has started to gain some weight. He did have some problems with weight gains on previous formula mixes, but the nutritionists at AZ have finally found a formula mix that he can tolerate much better. The keepers know that his mom’s milk is the best for him, but since he can’t be with is mom 24/7 right now, this new formula mix will be the nutrition he will be getting for quite awhile. BTW, the pics of Blaze’s baby are soooooo cute!!
Was on the apecam a few minutes ago, and no apes were out there on the ropes and rails. I think that they are inside for the nite.
Will be back on the apecam later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Saw the pictures of her little one, he’s darling. I hope all goes well with her, and she takes to him. I wonder if orangs even know there having a baby? Good question for the keepers:) And her having a c-section , I’m assuming put to sleep, is probably wondering why are they giving me this baby:)) Thanks for the updates.
Your welcome, Liz! Don’t know for sure if great apes know that they are pregnant, but since they are close to us humans, I think that they do know to some extent. Also, all of us human moms who have had Csections to deliver our babies have a longer bonding time with our babies due to the time away from our babies and the healing process that we go thru over the first 24 hours. It’s probably that same way for Blaze when it comes to trying to bond with her baby boy after her Csection. That’s why the keepers at AZ are so careful with their intro sessions with Blaze and her baby because they don’t really know whether Blaze will totally accept her baby or not. Mother animals are so interesting when it comes to bonding with and accepting their babies after they are born, but there have been some occasions when mothers just don’t have the mindset and skills to be moms to their babies, therefore the rejections and the keepers will hand raise the babies. It’s a very interesting situation when zoo keepers deal with mother animals after they have their babies. It’s hard work and the decisions that are made are so crucial for the moms and babies in their care to be successful. Hope this helps you out!
Chari
It is so cool looks like all the primates are in a conversation or meeting, wonder what they are talking about?
Oh I excited our local zoo is going to have a new baby orangutan, funny thing is mom was on birth control. (NM)
Sometimes I notice that I don’t see Karen or Janey outside. Are they given free reign to come and go in and out as they please, especially on rainy days like today?
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to the Orangutan Team.
Just following up to see if there’s been any response to my question
Hi Daisy,
The orangutans don’t normally have access to the bedrooms during the day but sometimes they choose not to come out or they may be out of view, Janey in particular has what I call her Zen spot near the waterfall on the far right side of the exhibit.
I hope you get this Jennifer had a look at the Koala cam this weekend love it thank you.
Glad you got to see it Susan! I am actually watching Nariah and her joey right now as I get ready to write about them
Be sure to check out Amy Alfrey’s blog about the ones you will see on the Koala Cam.