Orangutan’s Daring Escape Prompts Zoo Safety Review

A four-second video clip has captured the attention of many as Kembali, a Sumatran orangutan, executed an impressive escape maneuver at a zoo.

The agile primate was seen swinging from newly installed O-line ropes to an elevated platform, where he displayed a remarkable “cartwheel-like motion” to avoid a hot wire barrier designed to prevent such escapes.

Kembali’s daring act comes just weeks after his first experience with the O-line equipment, which had recently been introduced at the zoo.

Not surprisingly, he was the first of the zoo’s seven orangutans to explore the ropes, which are intended to allow these intelligent animals to traverse between different pavilions in the outdoor exhibit.

The zoo has since closed the outdoor exhibit as a precautionary measure and is reassessing the safety features to prevent future escapes.

“While we continue to investigate this incident, the outdoor orangutan habitat will be closed to guests and media until further notice,” the zoo stated.

This article by Trinity Sparke  was first published by One Green Planet on 4 September 2024. Image Credit :SANDARU-KGL/Shutterstock.

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