A new climbing frame is entertaining orangs utans and visitors alike.
Keepers spent three weeks transforming the orangs’ external enclosure by demolishing old play equipment and replacing it with a new larger wooden frame, complete with ropes, bars and platforms. Bornean orang family, dad Jorong, mum Jazz and one-year-old Sprout were kept indoors while the transformation took place, but eagerly explored their new adventure playground when the work was completed.
The new frame cost £6,000 to build and includes decking over the moat, swinging and climbing ropes and multi-level platforms with the upper levels providing a great place to spy on zoo visitors!
Team Leader Upper Primates, Pat Stevens, said: “The wooden play frame was designed and built in-house by our keepers, giving Jorong, Sprout and Jazz more space plus additional climbing and play equipment. “The orangs love it and spend much more time playing on the frame, while the visitors are amused by their antics, particularly when male, Jorong, dangles over the water and washes his face in the moat!”
CAPTIONS: ABOVE: The new climbing frame is much more fun Jorong and Jazz can now spot visitors across the site! BELOW: Builders’ mates Jazz and Sprout lend a hand with materials.