In fact, researchers suggest orangutan intelligence is equivalent to that of a 3.5 year old human child.

At Perth Zoo, keeping our red-headed residents mentally stimulated is the task of our talented primate team. And trust us, they’re up for the challenge!

By creating new and innovative enrichment activities, keepers can mentally challenge our precious primates and encourage them to practice natural behaviours.

Keeper Teagan has shared a few favourites!

Magazines

Smearing foods like peanut butter, mashed legumes or avocado between the pages of a magazine encourages problem solving and dexterity. Our orangutan residents must carefully turn each page to access their delicious treats.

Bamboo tubes or kongs

Stuffing these items with food and placing them in a mesh box on exhibit requires our orangutans to carefully extract foods with a stick.

Coconuts

To access the tasty inside of a coconut, problem solving skills are required. While some orangutans handle this task with care, preserving the water inside, others will violently smash the coconut to access the food more quickly.

Painting

Painting is not just mentally stimulating. It also encourages tool use, object manipulation, dexterity, coordination, and can be a whole lot of fun!

Duplo blocks

By taking apart the blocks and stacking them back together, this childhood favourite also promotes dexterity and coordination.

Shredded paper is an ultimate favourite

Not only do orangutans love to touch and play with shredded paper, but it can also be incorporated into nests for comfort.

Cardboard boxes, hessian sacks and pillowcases

When stuffed with leaf litter and foods like peas, corn, and nuts in shells, orangutans will forage through these items in search of a tasty treat - just as they would in the wild!



Our keepers love coming up with new, clever ways to enrich these apes!

You can learn more about the exciting and innovative activities our keepers create in our Sumatran Orangutan Close Encounter.

This behind-the-scenes experience will give you the chance to watch an orangutan training session, visit the primate kitchen and orangutan night quarters, and learn more about the critical conservation work taking place to protect these apes.