US zookeepers share knowledge on wildlife care
KOTA KINABALU: Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (LKWP) is making good its promise to make things better for the animals under its care. Although enclosure upgrade will take several years and significant investment, there are many steps that the park management has already embarked on.
The Orangutan Species Survival Plan (Orangutan SSP) along with APE Malaysia spent two days working on adding several enrichment items for the animals in the zoo.
Among them, are two square hammocks, one swing hammock, two log sacks, a honeycomb feeder, several mini cubes and a fire hose bridge measuring 7.5 metres.
The orangutan enclosure was also stripped of its old climbing ropes and approximately 180 metres of new climbing ropes that the orangutans can brachiate and swing from was added.
Zookeepers from Lok Kawi and several American zoos sat side by side creating fire hose enrichment for Joe the elephant, four orangutans and a few sun bears.
They also worked with each other on regular zoo duties sharing their jobs and challenges with each other before proceeding to install all the enrichment into the enclosure.
LKWP Resident Veterinarian Dr Symphorosa Sipangkui said: “I am really happy with the changes that have been made to the orangutan enclosure. It shows that upgrades and enrichment can be very simple and can be carried out easily. The orangutans were very curious and went straight to the new items to check them out. They even took turns to lay in each hammock! It was such a joy to see them.”
“Each enrichment item has been carefully thought out and planned to encourage more natural and a bigger variety of orangutan behaviour. Orangutans are arboreal so we have to try to get them to stay off the ground as much as possible. Providing them ample rope for brachiating and swinging is crucial. They build nests at least once a day and spend several hours even during the day resting in these nests when in the wild so hammocks are an important imitation for their natural nesting behaviour,” explained Fareea Ma of APE Malaysia.
“As a Sabahan who is passionate about conservation, and seeing the way Sabah is developing now, we have limited protected areas to release our wildlife. I see supporting establishments like Lok Kawi Wildlife Park as a way to educate our next generation in doing the best possible for our environment. If we have healthy animals in an environment that is conducive for the animals, we are able to use that as examples and develop every child’s inner compassion for wildlife and our environment,” said Mark Louis Benendict, project manager with APE Malaysia.
Orangutan SSP Field advisor Ronda Schwetz remarked, “It’s wonderful to know that even in our very short visit, we are able to work with the zookeepers to add a little positivity to the welfare of the orangutans. This is just the beginning. We hope to be able to contribute more towards LKWP’s endeavour in becoming an exemplary zoo via more APE Malaysia projects.”
Visitors to the zoo yesterday also enjoyed seeing the orangutans. Jasmine and Brandon Mayfield from Australia said that this was their second visit to the zoo and were very pleased to see the orangutans very active this time as they hardly moved the last time they were here.
Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and the Sabah Wildlife Department have been actively taking steps to improve wildlife welfare standards for their animals.
Following discussions with APE Malaysia since July this year on immediate steps and long-term plans, the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park hosted a team from the Association of American Zoos and Aquariums on October 28 and 29.
Eight zookeepers, educators and a zoo director joined APE Malaysia’s project to support their effort in upgrading enclosures and welfare standards for the animals.
Augustine Tuuga, director of Sabah Wildlife Department has given a strong directive to ensure that animal welfare is given priority.
Action is being taken on recommendations made during an external audit done recently and upgrading of enrichment is one of them.
APE Malaysia is currently planning more projects with Lok Kawi on a long-term basis working with the management and animal keepers to improve wildlife welfare.
“I have learned something new and I thank APE Malaysia for helping in doing something that improves the conditions of our animals,” said Jerry Gumpil, wildlife ranger of LKWP.
“I am happy to learn this new enrichment and although our focus today is on orangutans, what we learn now can also be used for sun bears and tigers under our care. We have the encouragement from them on how to use our own enrichment for the benefit of the animals in Lok Kawi,” said another wildlife ranger, Marayu Palanus.
“Our visit to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park has been a great opportunity for zoos and wildlife organizations from around the world to come together and share knowledge. The more we can learn from each other, the better equipped we become to ensure excellent animal welfare. I am very grateful to Lok Kawi for opening their doors to us and working with us to create some new exhibit features and enrichment for the orangutans,” said Courtney Murray, animal assistant manager of Kansas City Zoo.
“In the wildlife conservation field we all have a common goal to protect animals in the wild, and also give them the best possible care in a zoo. Working at Low Kawi Wildlife Park these two days, it is evident that the keepers feel the same way that we do. They’re excited to hear new ideas about caring for their animals, and it’s been such a great experience to work together to give these amazing creatures additional enrichment for their mental and physical wellbeing,” said Cassie Klein, Lead Education Specialist of Palm Beach Zoo.
“It has been such a rewarding experience getting to work with a variety of animal caretakers. We have gotten the opportunity to share our experiences and knowledge all while building new enrichment items for these incredible animals. I will always cherish the kindness and laughter I have experienced here,” said Tenley Davis, Primates Zookeeper, Denver Zoo.
“It is always amazing when animal caregivers come together with the shared goal of helping each other and our animals. We all have a commonality and that is providing the best care possible,” said Megan Elder, Primate Zookeeper at Como Zoo and the International Orangutan Studbook Keeper & Vice Chair of the Orangutan Species Survival Plan in North America.
“Having never been to Malaysia, I’ve been continuously impressed with the attitude and kindness of those I’ve met, and Lok Kawi is no exception. It’s clear that the staff care about their animals and love what they do. I truly enjoyed working with the staff to create enrichment items and helping each other troubleshoot our projects, and I hope the items we left will see many years of use!” said Elise Gorchels, Zookeeper, Henry Vilas Zoo.
“We had two great days of sharing knowledge, stories, and ideas with the zookeepers at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park. I particularly enjoyed bonding with them while we made enrichment items for the animals. Our shared passion for animals brought us together. The staff at Lok Kawi have taught me things about the animals and conservation that I can take back to America and share with my own zoo visitors. These are things I could only have learned by visiting and working here,” said Stacey Tabellario, Animal Keeper, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park.