South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Orangutans leave Jungle Island for upstate home
A pair of rare 16-year-old fraternal twin orangutans, Peanut and Pumpkin, and three others — Hanna, Sinbad and Connie — have departed Jungle Island in Miami for the Center for Great Apes, in Wauchula, a town between Lake Okeechobee and Tampa.
Officials announced Wednesday the move had taken place Sept. 18. The apes were to join several family members at the nonprofit sanctuary where 28 orangutans and 31 chimpanzees now live on more than 100 secluded acres.
They were relocated as part of the theme park’s multi-million dollar transformation to become Miami’s premier eco-adventure and entertainment destination, officials said in a statement.
Jungle Island’s veterinarian and the orangutans’ caretaker also moved.
“It was important to us that we find a facility where they can be together and stay as a family, as well as receive unrivaled care,” said Micha Dubernard, chief of staff at ESJ Capital Partners, which acquired Jungle Island in April 2017.
“We are thrilled to welcome all five orangutans to our great ape family,” said Patti Ragan, Center for Great Apes’ founder and director.
The sanctuary is designed to offer the apes space and companionship. Among other things, their habitats are up to 40-feet high and the apes can explore the woods and travel through a mile-long aerial walkway system toward various habitats and see others of their species, officials said.
Wayne K. Roustan can be reached at wkroustan@ sunsentinel.com or 561-379-6119 or on Twitter @WayneRoustan