ORANGUTAN - Audubon Nature Institute · orangutan ssp husbandry audubon nature institute new orleans workshop 2017 october 1-5, 2017

ORANGUTANSSP HUSBANDRYAUDUBON NATURE INSTITUTE

NEW ORLEANSWORKSHOP 2017

October 1-5, 2017

Sunday 9:00-6:00 Steering committee meeting (closed)3:00-6:00 Registration at hotel6:30 Icebreaker at The Rusty Nail

Monday 7:45 Bus departure from hotel8:30-8:50 Final registration at Zoo9:00 Welcome9:30 Orangutan SSP Updates Lori Perkins, Megan Elder, Carol Sodaro, Dina Bredahl, Ronda Schwetz, Stacia Peroni, Angie Selzer11:30 Keynote Speaker - Dr. Cheryl Knott12:30 Lunch & Zoo time2:00 The State of Orangutan Husbandry - A 25 Year Perspective Carol Sodaro, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo

Pumpkin: A New Beginning Tammy Buhrmester - Houston Zoo

Center for Great Apes 25-year History, Updates, and Future Patti Ragan - Center for Great Apes3:45 Nesting Behavior in Zoo-Housed Orangutans Meredith Bastian, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The Evolution of Cameron Park Zoo’s Orangutan Cardiac Health Program Emily Ellison and Laura Klutts - Cameron Park Zoo

Assessing the Rhythms of the Heart: Utilizing a voluntary Electrocardiogram (ECG) on an orangutan at Zoo Atlanta to assist in regular cardiac health monitoring Lynn Yakubinis - Zoo Atlanta5:15 Great Ape Heart Panel Marietta Danforth, PhD GAHP Project & Database Manager, Zoo Atlanta; Hayley Murphy, DVM GAHP Director, VP of Animal Divisions, Zoo Atlanta; Nancy Lung, VMD, MS SSP Orangutan Veterinary Advisor; Roberta Boyd, RN, RDMS, RDCS GAHP Ultrasound Advisor; Audra Meinelt, Curator of Primates, Columbus Zoo; Lynn Yakubinis, Lead Keeper, Zoo Atlanta

6:00 Buses depart from Tea Room

PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

Tuesday 7:45 Bus departure from hotel9:00 Workshop Housekeeping 9:05 Bella: A Survivor’s Tale Brian Sheets / Dr. Jeff Wyatt, Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester NY

A Current Assessment of Respiratory Disease in the North American Captive Orangutan Population Megan K. Fox, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens; California State University Fullerton (CSUF)

Genetics of Orangutan Lung Disease Jennifer L. Taylor-Cousar - National Jewish Health

Orangutan Respiratory Disease: Encouraging Results from Samboja Nancy P. Lung, Veterinary Advisor, Orangutan Species Survival Plan11:00 Vet/Nutrition Panel Nancy Lung, Veterinary Advisor, Orangutan Species Survival Plan Deb Schmidt, Ph.D., Saint Louis Zoo , Hayley Murphy; DVM Zoo Atlanta 12:00 Lunch & Zoo time1:45 The Power of You Kevin Rainey, Audubon Nature Institute

2:45 Redheads On The Move Jennifer Stahl, Greenville Zoo Erin Jones, Utah’s Hogle Zoo Stephanie Schuler, Cincinnati Zoo

Welcoming new orangutans from around the world Devin Turner, Cindy Cassaboon, Robin Newby Sedgwick County Zoo, Denver Zoo, Oklahoma City Zoo

Kim and Max: Health and Husbandry for Two Bornean Orangutans Stacie Beckett - Indianapolis Zoo

4:30 Orangutan Tooth Emergence Project- The Final Chapter! Felicity Oram, presented by Jennifer Stahl Hutan-KOCP, Universiti Sabah Malaysia

Starting Over at the Greenville Zoo: The Acclimation and Introduction of Lana and Kumar Jennifer Stahl - Greenville Zoo

Ambassador Apes - The Love Connection Eleanor Knox - Cheyenne Mountain Zoo6:00 Buses depart from Tea Room

Wednesday 7:45 Bus departure from hotel9:00 Workshop Housekeeping 9:15 Are We on Auto Pilot?: A Look into Safety Working with Great Apes Courtney Eparvier, Audubon Zoo 9:30 Modern Family: Introduction of an Adult Male Bornean Orangutan to a Sibling Foster Pair Erin Jones - Utah’s Hogle Zoo

The Making of #TeamRazak Emily Ellison and Laura Klutts - Cameron Park Zoo

National Zoo’s long awaited infant, what you didn’t see on social media Erin Stromberg - Smithsonian’s National Zoo11:00 Foster Rearing Panel Carol Sodaro, Brookfield Zoo, Lori Perkins, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Erin Jones, Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Suzanne Husband, Toledo Zoo 12:00 Lunch & Zoo time1:45 Orangutan Outreach - Celebrating 10 Years of Saving Orangutans! Richard Zimmerman - Orangutan Outreach

Their Future is in Our Hands Jamartin Shihite - BOS Foundation3:30 Graham gives up genetics and starts a travel agency Janine Steele, Sacramento Zoo Megan Fox, Los Angeles Zoo Meeting and helping a 33-year-old disabled orangutan Linda Jacobs, Jungle Island

4:30 Future workshop presentations Stacia Pieroni, Kansas City Zoo 2019 Workshop reveal5:15 Final Remarks6:00 Swamp Party 9:00 Buses depart from Swamp

Thursday7:45 Buses depart from hotel for tree planting in Caernarvon for post workshop trip

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Cheryl Knott

Cheryl Knott is a biological anthropologist who conducts research on wild orangutans in Gunung Palung National Park, Indonesia. She earned her PhD in Anthropology from Harvard University, where she also served as an Asso-ciate Professor until 2008, when she joined the faculty at Boston University. Dr. Knott has been studying wild orangutans in Indonesia’s Gunung Palung National Park, on the island of Borneo, since 1992. She is the founder and di-rector of the Gunung Palung Orangutan Project, one of the longest running primate research projects in the world. Her work reveals how orangutan adaptations, such as the longest inter-birth interval of any mammal and the evolution of two adult male morphs, are shaped by their ecology. She pioneered the use of non-invasive techniques to measure orangutan hor-mones, caloric intake and physiology in the wild. In 2000, she co-founded the Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Project which works to protect this critically endangered species, and their rain forest habitat, through ed-ucation, public awareness campaigns, population and habitat censuses, sustainable livelihood development, establishment of village-run customary forests, investigation of the illegal pet trade and active engagement with Indonesian government organizations. Dr. Knott is a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, has published over 50 scientific articles, and is the recip-ient of numerous grants and awards for her research and teaching. She collaborates with her husband, National Geographic photographer Tim La-man, on creating popular books, articles and films on orangutans to help the public develop a greater appreciation for these magnificent animals.

KEYNOTE

PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS

Monday October 2nd The State of Orangutan Husbandry - A 25 Year Perspective Carol Sodaro, Orangutan SSP Husbandry Advisor, Associate Curator of CarnivoresChicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo

Present orangutan husbandry standards includes a diverse multi-disciplinary approach. This allows caregivers to provide excellent care while promoting the highest state of welfare. Over the past 25 years,the level of husbandry expertise has increased with a continued strong commitment from AZA institutions and within the membership of the Orangutan SSP. A recent survey was done to examine husbandry and caregiving trends. The results can help to determine what future enhancements we can consider for orangutans in human care. The survey results will be presented and discussed and contrasted to past husbandry practices.

Pumpkin: A New BeginningTammy Buhrmester Houston Zoo

In November 2016, the Houston Zoo received an SSP recommendation to receive a 31-year-old Bornean male orangutan from the Jackson Zoo. In the presentation, you will learn how we prepared for his arrival, including renovating one of the existing bedrooms of a 25-year-old building to allow him to be released from a shipping crate without sedation. We will explain the protocol that was followed during the quarantine period in the orangutan building. You will learn how we introduced Pumpkin to a new building that includes hydraulic doors, two tunnels to travel through and an exhibit that has many new features that he had not had access to before. We will be also be sharing how we introduced him to new keepers, a new diet, a new routine and how to co-exist with five other orangutans. At the end of the presentation, you will have learned about a year in the life of Pumpkin and his big adventure.

Center for Great Apes 25-year History, Updates, and FuturePatti RaganCenter for Great Apes

Presentation of the 25-year history of the only accredited orangutan sanctuary in North America including the politics of rescuing and helping 23+ orangutans from the entertainment industry and the exotic pet trade.... as well as plans for future growth and stability.

Nesting Behavior in Zoo-Housed OrangutansM.L. Bastian(1,2), D.R. Glendinning (1), A.J. Reddy (1), E.S. Herrelko (1,3), M.Brown (1), M.A. Spence (1), E.Renner (3,4), L.Thompson (1)1: Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute; 2: Duke University; 3: University of Stirling; 4: George Washington University

Nest building is one of the most technologically advanced activities that wild orangutans engage in, yet they do so on a daily basis and with potential consequences for safety. Like their wild counterparts, zoo-housed orangutans also make nests when given adequate materials. This presentation summarizes results from the final phases of a study introduced at the 2015 Wichita conference focused on the nesting habits of 6 adult orangutans housed at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Observed patterns were considered in the context of those observed in a high-density population of wild Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) and compared to those documented for orangutans housed across 31 AZA facilities. Results indicate the presence of at least one behavior that occurs only rarely (7% of 31 surveyed facilities), as well as several universal patterns of nesting behavior across AZA institutions. We also report an interesting and widely documented behavior that occurs in the nesting context and appears to be exhibited more often by females than by males (X2 = 4.390, df = 1, p = 0.036).



The Evolution of Cameron Park Zoo’s Orangutan Cardiac Health ProgramEmily Ellison and Laura KluttsCameron Park Zoo

In fall 2013, Cameron Park Zoo began their orangutan cardiac health program. All of the adults housed at the zoo have been trained for voluntary blood draw, echocardiograms, and awake blood pressure. In the beginning of 2015 staff collaborated with a local company in the creation of the female tough cuff which is made from the same material as the male one, enabling standardization between the sexes. In effort to standardize methodology and logistics of obtaining and recording blood pressure, Cameron Park Zoo worked closely with Zoo Atlanta, resulting in the first Orangutan Cardio Workshop held in June 2015. The workshop was hugely successful and well received leading to hosting a second one in October 2016, which doubled in participants. Following this workshop, Cameron Park Zoo partnered with The Great Ape Heart Project as a pilot program comparing voluntary finger blood pressure readings to arm blood pressure readings. Both methods are currently being used as a husbandry management tool without knowing if there is a deviation between the two. This study would hopefully be able to do just that. Moving forward in April of 2018, Cameron Park Zoo will host a third cardio workshop which will include all of the non-human great apes. Since each ape species will be represented by various speakers, The Great Ape Heart Project will taking on a more involved role in the workshop. Offering a free workshop continues to provide a means to proactive cardiac care for everyone in the field.


Assessing the Rhythms of the Heart: Utilizing a voluntary Electrocardiogram (ECG) on an orangutan at Zoo Atlanta to assist in regular cardiac health monitoring Lynn YakubinisZoo Atlanta

An Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart and is a useful tool for assessing cardiac rhythm and rate. This technique is used frequently in humans by placing leads on the skin to read the electrical activity of the heart, but has never before been used with orangutans. During a routine voluntary cardiac echo on an adult male orangutan at Zoo Atlanta, an irregularity was noticed and the veterinarians wanted more information for a more accurate diagnosis. Therefore, keepers and veterinarians started researching what other diagnostic tools were possible. Since an ECG would provide useful information and had been used successfully on chimpanzees and gorillas, this method was pursued. To start with, the machine was engineered to work with three leads instead of the large number of leads used with humans. Then, a training plan was established to train the orangutan to allow three ECG probes to be placed on his chest and abdomen simultaneously as well as keep this position for over two minutes. After months of research, collaboration and training, the first voluntary ECG was successfully achieved with an orangutan. The information gained in the ECG sessions has proven very valuable in the diagnosis, treatment and on-going monitoring of the orangutan’s heart condition. This technique expands the repertoire of voluntary cardiac health behaviors that are available to keepers and veterinarians to improve the welfare of orangutans in captivity.


Tuesday October 3rd

Bella: A Survivor’s TaleBrian Sheets, Primate Keeper / Dr. Jeff Wyatt DVMSeneca Park Zoo, Rochester NY

We have a 3 year old female named Bella who was seriously injured at our institution last year after getting trapped between some steel bars. She was immediately separated from parents Kumang and Denda for emergency surgery and spent the next 7 weeks by herself in the hospital. She had serious trauma to her lower jaw as well as psychological trauma due to both the injury and her separation. We’ll be discussing the injury, how we dealt with her in the hospital, and her successful reintroduction to the adults. To cover all the medical details of her injuries and recovery, Dr. Jeff Wyatt will be co-presenting with me. I would estimate a time of 45 minutes to an hour for our presentation depending on how many questions are asked.

A Current Assessment of Respiratory Disease in the North American Captive Orangutan PopulationMegan K. FoxLos Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens; California State University Fullerton (CSUF)

The Orangutan SSP 2012 Health Survey conducted on the North American population asked zoological institutions to identify the most serious health problems facing captive orangutans, respiratory infections were ranked number one. Identifying the risk factors involved in respiratory disease can greatly enhance the ability for zoological institutions to act preemptively to treat disease which can ultimately assist in the overall care, management, and survivability of the individuals involved and hence the population as a whole. This project aimed to identify some of the factors that influence the presence of respiratory disease in the North American captive orangutan population. Specifically, if there are species differences in the prevalence of disease between the Sumatran and Bornean orangutan, between the sexes, between certain age classes, and between individuals at various developmental stages. This project also aimed to identify other factors that may influence the onset of disease, such as weight, body condition, family history, rearing history, stress events, and environmental factors. Additionally, information was gathered on the types of symptoms most commonly experienced to assist in possible early detection of disease. Results from this study will be discussed.


Genetics of Orangutan Lung DiseaseJennifer L. Taylor-CousarNational Jewish Health

Gram negative rod infection, bronchiectasis and chronic sinus drainage characterize the respiratory syndrome that is present in approximately 20-40% of captive orangutans in U.S. and European Zoos, and leads to morbidity and mortality in this critically endangered species. Although, respiratory disease was originally thought to be related to zoo captivity, respiratory disease has also been identified in animals presenting to and/or residing in open air captivity in rescue centers in Borneo and Sumatra. Furthermore, a recent evaluation of predisposing factors demonstrated that diseased animals were more often genetically related to animals with respiratory disease (93%) than to healthy animals (54%). During this presentation, we will discuss

1. Radiologic evaluation to identify early respiratory disease

2. Non-surgical treatment of respiratory disease

3. An update on the progress of the Orangutan SSP supported research study to identify a genetic cause of chronic sinopulmonary disease in orangutans.


Orangutan Respiratory Disease: Encouraging Results from SambojaNancy P. Lung, VMD, MSChief Editor, Journal of Zoo and Wildlife MedicineVeterinary Advisor, Orangutan Species Survival Plandrh. Agnes Pratamiutami S.Chief Veterinarian, BOSF Samboja LestariJennifer Taylor-Cousar, MD, MSCSAssociate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, Divisions of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Medical Director, Clinical Research Services, Co-Director and CF TDN Director, Adult CF Program

Chronic respiratory disease continues to be one of the most impactful health issues for captive orangutans. The Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation at Samboja houses 172 Bornean orangutans, of which 114 are long-term residents. Since 2010 the Samboja staff have managed 25 cases of chronic respiratory disease, with varying success. The 25 animals are comprised of 18 males, 7 females, ranging in age from 7-25yr. In 2016 a project was undertaken with the following goals: to create a reference set of CT images of respiratory pathology; to create a respiratory disease “scale of severity” that can be used by the orangutan medical community; to utilize treatment plans adapted from cystic fibrosis treatment, then assess the efficacy of these treatments. Six adult male orangutans, chosen for their range of disease severity, were transported for CT imaging of the head and thorax. An excellent starter set of CT images was created. These six cases provide a strong foundation for the creation of a scale of severity that will be clinically useful. Each case was treated with several cystic fibrosis modalities. Follow-up CT scans showed clearance of sinusitis, significant improvement in pulmonary lesions, and a reduced recurrence of air saculitis. These preliminary findings are guiding continued work with this population. Results will help guide the care of captive orangutans around the world.

The Power of You.Kevin Rainey, Audubon Nature InstituteWe will discuss the impact you have on the lives of others, the community you support, and animals you care for.


Redheads On The MoveJennifer Stahl, Erin Jones, Stephanie SchulerGreenville Zoo, Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo

Last year the Greenville Zoo was a part of four orangutan shipments, coordinating transfers with four different zoos. Through these shipments all common shipping methods were covered including transport by van, FedEx, and DHL. We will discuss pros and cons of the process from planning to shipping for each of the transfers, and some of the issues and questions that came up along the way.

Welcoming New Orangutans From Around The WorldDevin Turner, Cindy Cassaboon, Robin NewbySedgwick County Zoo, Denver Zoo, Oklahoma City Zoo

In 2016 some new faces arrived in the Sumatran orangutan population. On August 5th, Tao and Eirina were brought to the US from Zoo Dortmund in Germany. After CDC quarantine, they separated and were moved to their new homes at Sedgwick County Zoo and Denver Zoo. Each sister acclimated into their new routines with new care givers, new diet, and new family members. Shortly after Tao and Eirina were off to start their new adventures, Negara arrived in the US from Perth. Negara also had to go through CDC quarantine, and then she was off to start her own new story at the Oklahoma City Zoo. These three girls are great additions to the Orangutan SSP. Importing these girls was an adventure for not just the girls, but also the keepers involved in acclimating them to their new lives. This presentation will discuss the importation of the three females, the CDC quarantine process, them settling into their new zoos, and updates on how they are doing now.


Kim and Max: Health and Husbandry for Two Bornean OrangutansStacie BeckettIndianapolis Zoo

This presentation will cover the progress of Kim and Max since their arrival at Indianapolis. In August 2016, Kim, a 38-year-old Bornean orangutan and her 9-month-old son Max, were recommended for transfer to Indianapolis Zoo from the Jackson Zoo by SSP. Both orangutans had health concerns. Kim was obese, weighing 83.2kgs and had become sedentary, refusing to shift onto exhibit. Max presented with possible developmental and nutritional deficiencies. At 9 months, he was not climbing or crawling

and was lethargic. Physically he had poor hair growth, a swollen tongue, dull skin, audible breathing and no visible teeth. After examination by zoo veterinarians, Kim began a weight loss regimen with a target weight of 59kgs. The zoo nutritionist formulated a diet to allow for slow but steady weight loss that would not affect her lactation. Keepers worked on increasing Kim’s overall activity level. Although there were challenges in getting Kim to adjust to her new diet, she has lost over 16kgs and her fitness and activity level have improved. Max was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and began receiving synthetic hormone replacement daily. He also received supplemental formula three times daily to ensure he was receiving proper nutrition. Improvements in Max’s physical condition were noticeable a few weeks after he

began receiving the synthetic hormone replacement. By October 2016, he was active and making attempts to climb the mesh in holding. Blood is taken every few months to ensure the proper levels of the synthetic hormone are present.


Orangutan Tooth Emergence Project- The Final Chapter! Felicity Oram, Hutan-KOCP, Universiti Sabah Malaysia

A progress report of this SSP sanctioned tooth emergence project will be presented. This highly collaborative research serves as an opportunity for zoo orangutans to provide information useful to their wild and orphan counterparts in Indonesia and Malaysia. The aim is to better understand deciduous and permanent teeth emergence to make more accurate age estimation of orphan orangutans in rehabilitation centers and wild orangutan study subjects. Current tooth emergence charts for orangutans are incomplete and imprecise especially for adult teeth that would be most useful in assessment of release age preteen orphans. This presentation will focus on the first outputs to rehabilitation center veterinarians and managers at the Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group meeting in Indonesia in July 2017. It will also include specific final needs to make this a definitive update of teeth emergence for publication at the beginning of 2018. Wild orangutans have the longest childhood, slowest development to independent adulthood and largest degree of maternal investment in a single offspring of any animal. Orphan infant orangutans require intensive and extensive support. Size alone is often not an accurate indicator of age and therefore stage of development especially as some confiscated orangutans arrive at rehabilitation centers as inadequately but overfed former pets while others are rescued wild individuals who may be severely nutritionally stressed from being displaced by habitat loss or from conflict with people. More precise age estimations could facilitate age appropriate care and provide an additional useful measure for pre-release assessment of competence.

Starting Over at the Greenville Zoo: The Acclimation and Introduction of


Lana and KumarJennifer StahlGreenville Zoo

After transferring out the only orangutans the Greenville Zoo has known, we entered new territory in the fall of 2016 with two new Sumatran orangutans arriving. Lana, a 32 year old who has spent the majority of her life at the Cincinnati Zoo had a particularly rough transition period. Kumar, a 12 year old ball of energy adjusted well but the introduction process with the two of them was not the easiest. We have had some failures and successes and I have learned a lot through this whole process and I would like to share my journey with everyone.

Ambassador Apes - The Love ConnectionEleanor KnoxCheyenne Mountain Zoo

Our zoo animals are ambassadors for their species. We want them to inspire people to care about what happens to their wild counterparts. So how do we get our zoo guests to fall in love with our animals? At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo we strive to be a leader in creating amazing guest experiences. This requires input from all levels of staff. This year, staff in the Primate World (PW) area made an ambitious goal of prioritizing our guest interactions – by ramping up our scheduled natural behavior and training demonstrations, Defining Moments, impromptu keeper interactive chats, behind the scenes tours, and other interactive animal encounters. This is especially challenging with apes – we have orangutans, gorillas, and siamangs in PW. We had to address a number of challenges related to safety, animal training, staffing, time management, building improvements, and workplace culture to be successful. Along with clear conservation messaging and easy action steps, we believe that causing our guests to fall in love with our animals ensures that their captive lives are respected and their wild cousins have a bright future. This presentation will look at why and how we created and addressed the goal of making sure our guests have amazing interactions with our Primate World apes.


Wednesday October 4th

Are We on Auto Pilot?: A Look into Safety Working with Great ApesCourtney EparvierAudubon Zoo

Staff safety working potentially dangerous animals (PDAs) has become an important topic of discussion within AZA. Other Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs) within AZA have started conversations about how to potentially regulate safety and make accreditation standards for working PDAs in the future. The recommendations that are being discussed include Great Apes in the literature. A survey was sent out to the Orangutan Institutional Representatives (IRs) to find out what safety protocols are currently in place at their facilities which house Great Apes. This presentation will discuss the results and hopefully start the conversation of these regulations potentially affecting Great Ape husbandry and management in the future. This will give us a chance to get ahead of this as a group, take a good look at the safety procedures in place at our facilities, and learn from each other to ensure the safety of our animals, guests, and staff.

Modern Family: Introduction of an Adult Male Bornean Orangutan to a Sibling Foster PairErin Jones Utah’s Hogle Zoo

In November of 2014, Bornean Orangutan Eve gave birth via c-section to a male named Tuah. Three weeks after the birth, Eve passed away leaving Acara, the nine year old sister of Tuah, as the remaining orangutan at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Staff worked diligently with both Acara and Tuah, and within four months the pair was together 24/7. In the fall of 2016, an adult male Bornean Orangutan Mia came to Utah’s Hogle Zoo to be introduced to the young pair. This presentation will focus on the unique and complex challenges the staff and animals overcame in order for the group to be successful.


The Making of #TeamRazakEmily Ellison and Laura KluttsCameron Park Zoo

In 2015, Cameron Park Zoo took “Mei” off birth control so she could breed again with “Kerajaan”, after the death of their infant in 2014. The staff trained the parents, as well as the aunt, “Kutai”, on maternal/paternal behaviors, to prepare the orangutans for all possibilities with a new infant. In celebration of the upcoming baby, Cameron Park Zoo hosted a baby shower, which attracted national attention. This provided a perfect opportunity to discuss the plight of orangutans in the wild, and why a birth is so rare and exhilarating. On January 12th 2017, “Mei” gave birth to a healthy boy, “Razak”. Two weeks postpartum “Mei” began exhibiting some alarming and potentially dangerous behaviors; excessive and frequent genital-to-genital contact, pushing his back onto the floor, trying to put him on the mesh and unlatching him to self-nurse. With the recommendation from the SSP, the staff at Cameron Park Zoo made the tough decision to pull “Razak” for hand rearing. While hand rearing, keepers did socialization sessions with “Mei” frequently, this kept her interest in him and allowed us to assess her behavior. Staff observed that “Mei” may resume the same behaviors if “Razak” was reintroduced to her, so preparations were made to try “Kutai” as a surrogate. “Kutai” and “Razak” took some time to bond, but within 1 short week, she was touching him, and within 2.5 weeks “Kutai” was picking “Razak” up. Now, it is only a matter of time and perseverance from everyone before they are fully introduced.


National Zoo’s long awaited infant, what you didn’t see on social mediaErin StrombergSmithsonian’s National Zoo

With a first-time orangutan mother and staff that have never worked with an expectant orangutan mother or infant, the National Zoo’s first infant in 25 years marked a milestone. The breeding recommendation was delayed, and when the recommendation did move forward, there was a two year time frame before pregnancy was confirmed. Thorough birthing plans, maternal and surrogate training, and the resource of the vast knowledge of fellow orangutan keepers and the SSP, allowed the staff to be prepared as they could be for the pending birth in fall of 2016. This presentation will highlight the highs and lows following the birth, especially the lows only discussed among the National Zoo’s staff and vet team. The highs include increased maternal experience, and of course infant Redd on the zoo’s 50 foot tall O-Line. The goal of the presentation will not only focus on another successful addition to the orangutan population, but highlight the information that was used that directly came from others in the orangutan community. Emphasis will be made on the importance of sharing all experiences with other orangutan keepers, and using the orangutan community as a tool to gain more knowledge regarding all aspects of orangutan husbandry.

Orangutan Outreach - Celebrating 10 Years of Saving Orangutans!Richard ZimmermanOrangutan Outreach

Orangutan Outreach has turned 10! And what a long, strange trip it’s been! Founding Director Richard Zimmerman will give an update on the projects & partners Orangutan Outreach is working with and funding in Borneo and Sumatra. He will also discuss some of the milestones and highlights from the past 10 years. {:(|}


Their Future Is In Our HandsJamartin ShihiteBOS Foundation

Orangutans and humans have more than 97% similarity in DNA and yet we as humans destroy their home because we use the same area. Because of that, now we have 650 orangutan in our rehabilitation centre and need forest. After having been rehabilitated for more than 6-7 years, we have to send them back home and after release, it takes a lot of work. Releasing orangutan back to forest is not the end of works but just the beginning. We have to make sure all orangutan that we release remain safe.

Forest fires, land use change, and illegal wildlife trade makes BOSF operation still big, and new orangutan are still coming to our centre. BOSF now try to find more islands for orangutan as part of the rehabilitation as our strategy.

Meanwhile, in 2017 we found one albino orangutan, name ALBA, very rare and need special treatment, and she should be in the trees not in a cage.

All of us have a dream that all orangutan in BOSF rehabilitation centre will one day live in the forest, not in cages, they will be living in their home and free. It depends on us, because their future lies in our hands.


Graham gives up genetics and starts a travel agencyJanine Steele, Megan FoxSacramento Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo

Dr. Graham L Banes and three U.S. zookeepers, Linda Jacobs from Jungle Island, Megan K. Fox from L.A. Zoo, and Janine Steele from Sacramento Zoo, were invited to China to discuss all things orangutan and chimpanzee. The main goals for this trip were to form relations between U.S. and Chinese zoos where husbandry information could be exchanged, and begin to lay down the foundation for future husbandry workshops across China. Much more was accomplished during that time, setting the stage for China’s first National Orangutan Workshop in October 2018.

Meeting and helping a 33-year-old disabled orangutanLinda JacobsJungle Island

Dr. Graham L Banes and I were invited to China to meet with a 33-year-old disabled orangutan. Though her keepers cared deeply for her, they were eager for advice on how best to care for her special needs. While we were there, significant changes were made to her diet and exhibit. We worked with zoo staff to determine what her limitations were and showed them therapy techniques to aid her and expand her very limited world.

POSTER ABSTRACTS

Opening the window of opportunityMelissa PassmanAudubon Zoo

We have developed a multi-purpose presentation that incorporates Orangutan husbandry training and guest engagement through the exhibit viewing windows at Audubon Zoo. The poster focuses on the processes, challenges, and successes of transitioning behind-the-scenes training sessions from mesh barriers to window training presentations on exhibit. This combined training and engagement technique provides an opportunity to vary daily enrichment for our orangutans and create an interactive educational experience for our guests. A demonstration will be available for viewing during the workshop.

Know your 3, 6, 7 and 9’s Laura McComeskyWoodland Park Zoo

Know Your 3, 6, 7 and 9’s: This will show the health benefits of omega oils and what the proper oil would be for your individual. This will focus mainly on flax and fish oils and the benefits we have seen here at WPZ for numerous individuals. I will be highlighting a local company, Barlean’s, as they are the leader in the industry. Barlean’s is considering manufacturing a zoo oriented line and I will be handing out a questionnaire as well. A rep from the company will be accompanying me to the conference.

The Animal Vending MachineNick Naitove, Emily CainWildThink

Captive great apes can demonstrate a reduction in foraging behaviors because they generally do not have to put forth much effort to acquire food. When food is readily available and easy to obtain, instances of excessive inactivity and abnormal behaviors can increase. Cognitive enrichment is used to mentally and physically stimulate apes in order to reduce abnormal behavior and promote the occurrence and diversity of natural behaviors. This study took place with Sumatran and Bornean orangutans (Pongo abelli and Pongo pygmaeus) at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The goal of the study was to create enrichment that required apes to exchange tokens with an automated device for a food reward, thereby increasing activity and foraging time. By scattering tokens around the exhibits and hiding them in other enrichment devices, multiple steps were added to the food acquisition process and the orangutans had access to novel foraging opportunities. Each token placed into this new enrichment device, called the Animal Vending Machine, returned a small food reward. Data is currently being processed, but initial reports have determined that orangutans with access to the Animal Vending Machine exhibit a 40% increase in overall activity levels in addition to a notable increase in foraging and exploratory behaviors.

POSTER ABSTRACTS

Development Of A Database Of Fetal Ultrasound Measurements For The Creation Of Orangutan-Specific (Pongo Spp.) Growth Curves And Determination Of Parturition DatesBrittany Rizzo, DVM,1 Ric Berlinski, DVM,2 Joe Smith, DVM,3 and Connie Warner, RDMS4

Data from three cases have been used to create a single growth curve for orangutan (Pongo spp.) fetal development. This project creates and compares specific growth curves (e.g. Bornean vs. Sumatran and male fetus vs. female fetus) and gestation lengths for orangutans by developing a database using existing ultrasound and breeding information as well as information collected from multiple institutions going forward. The protocol describes detailed guidelines for study participation including breeding data parameters, specific ultrasound views, points to measure, and frequency of collection. A standardized form has been created for institutions to complete and a single certified ultrasonographer is used for analysis in order to make the data as uniform and reliable as possible. Specific data points collected in this study include copulation date, last known menses, birth date, and fetal ultrasound measurements of crown rump length (CRL), biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), and humerus length (HL).

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Documents

ORANGUTAN - Audubon Nature Institute · orangutan ssp husbandry audubon nature institute new orleans workshop 2017 october 1-5, 2017