Orangutans in Columbus

I visited the Columbus Zoo's Bornean orangutans October 1, 2024.

Dumplin was separated from Clementine and Khali.

 

Or was she?

A docent who was there explained that there is a similar grid inside, and Dumplin weaves fabric through it. She has not done that outside, though.

Khali has a lock!

(This reminded me of an orangutan in a zoo that hid a key in his mouth and used it to open a door. My memory was faulty in that there was no key, which makes the story even better. Read or listen to RadioLab.) 

It appears that kind of lock is used to secure things in the enclosure. In the first photo, one of these locks attaches the green cloth to the grid. An orangutan could probably detach a hook or carabiner easily.

Clementine: "Look at me, Mom!"

Orangutans

I checked on Clementine in August at the Columbus Zoo.

Sulongo was in the yard, monitoring the grass beneath a tower.

Khali and Clementine were right up by the glass.

This looks uncomfortable.

It was difficult to get a shot, what with all the human primates crowded around. I think the glass is tilted the wrong way, if the intent is to minimize reflections.

Sulongo moved on to reading the newspaper.

Or chewing it.

Khali took Clementine out to the yard.

Sulongo was nearby

Clementine

Clementine, a Bornean orangutan, was born at the Columbus Zoo November 28, 2023, and I've seen her a few times. Her mom is Khali and her dad is Sulango. Dumplin is an older female that rounds-out the group.

January 8, 2024

February 5.

Sulango drops in. He's hanging almost upside down and grasping Khali's hand. He sits with Clementine and Khali in the video below.

Still February 5. Dumplin (arm in the foreground) reaches toward Clementine.

April 9

April 16