Today, tasty treats and decorated enrichment was in order to celebrate Puspa and Kluet on International Orangutan Day.
Primate keeper Pij Olijnyk says the primate team loves the opportunity to celebrate Puspa and Kluet and share their connection to wild orangutans and the role that we can all play to help protect and preserve their habitat.
“One of the many things we love about Pupsa is her playful nature and eagerness to engage with her keepers.
“She will often initiate play sessions by throwing a sheet over her head and quietly hooting, coming close to keeper interaction areas to encourage tickling and play.
“Something people may not know about Puspa is she loves to paint, and one of her works is even on display as part of Zoos SA’s Paws for extinction SALA exhibition.
“Kluet is fascinated by technology and can manipulate a touch screen when held by one of his keepers, flicking through photos and watching videos of other orangutans and wild animals,” finished Pij.
Visitors can tell Kluet apart from Pupsa as Kluet exhibits the defining characteristics of a large adult male orangutan, with long, matted hair and large cheek pads.
Sumatran Orangutans are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
In the wild, it is estimated that there are only around 7,000 Sumatran Orangutans remaining and, with populations under increasing threat, it is feared they will become extinct in the next 10 years.
One of the greatest threats to the Sumatran Orangutan is habitat loss due to the unsustainable production of palm oil, an ingredient found in around half of all supermarket products as well as bioplastics, biofuels and lubrication oils meaning it is part of the manufacturing chain for many products well beyond those we find on the supermarket shelves.
Zoos South Australia works alongside sixteen other zoo-based conservation and wildlife organisations across Australia and New Zealand to drive the global transition to Certified Sustainable Palm Oil.
The mission of the Responsible Palm Oil Network is to work with Australasian manufacturers to move to using Certified Sustainable Palm Oil and to introduce clear palm oil labelling. Labelling will help consumers identify Certified Sustainable Palm Oil products and drive change through everyday purchases.
This International Orangutan Day we’re calling on you to help by spreading the message on the importance of mandatory labelling of palm oil products.
You can see Sumatran Orangutans Puspa and Kluet at Adelaide Zoo.
