From providing specialised nutrition plans, to creating new and engaging forms of enrichment, our staff work hard to ensure the needs of our animals are met.

This International Orangutan Day we’re sharing how we use the five domains of animal welfare to care for our Sumatran Orangutans.

The five domains of animal welfare is a science-based framework designed to assess the welfare of animals. This framework is used by all Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) accredited zoos. ZAA is the industry body that represents zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks across Australia and New Zealand, and sets the standard for good animal welfare. Check out how we care for our Sumatran Orangutans.

Nutrition

Providing the very best food and nutrition is essential in ensuring our animals maintain good health. Each of our animals, including our orangutans, follow a specialised nutrition plan to meet their dietary needs. For our orangutans, this includes lots of leafy greens and plenty of colourful vegetables. Find out what a typical day on a plate looks like for our male orangutan, Dinar.

Environment

​Providing a stimulating and engaging environment for our orangutans is key! Our orangutans have access to a large outdoor habitat with long ropes for climbing and tall towers for nesting. As an arboreal species, orangutans like to be up high! The design of their habitat cleverly mimics what they would have in the wild. Complete with shade and water misters, the habitat also provides shelter during warm weather or rain.

Plus, our apes also have opportunities rotate into a special habitat with a real-life tree to climb! 

Health

Regular health checks and proactive training means our primate keepers and veterinarians can closely monitor our orangutans’ health. Keepers work hard to develop close, trusting relationships with our primates, ensuring health care always remains stress-free!
Many orangutans can have their teeth brushed and flossed, they’ve learned to apply moisturiser to soothe dry skin and even will have their temperatures taken! 

Behaviour

Providing new and engaging forms of enrichment keeps our orangutans mentally stimulated and encourages natural behaviours. From painting, to problem solving, to hiding food in different items, our keepers provide enrichment in many different forms. And sometimes, our orangutans will return the favour!

As a semi-solitary species, orangutans spend most of their time alone. Young orangutans will stay with their mothers for around eight years. These social structures are mimicked in a zoo environment to encourage natural behaviours.

Mental State

The overall mental state of our orangutan residents is determined by ensuring each of the first four domains are fulfilled. The fulfillment of each of these needs means our primate pals are set up for success!