South Island’s first orangutans
The South Island will today become home to three exotic visitors from the jungles of Borneo.
The island’s first orangutans will arrive in the early hours to take up temporary residence at Christchurch’s Orana Park.
Male Charlie, 37, and females Melur, 27, and Wanita, 39, will stay in Christchurch for two years while their home at Auckland Zoo is upgraded.
Auckland Zoo’s primate team leader, Amy Robbins, who has spent 17 years with Charlie, Melur and Wanita, will travel with the apes. She says they all have very defined personalities.
‘‘Charlie is our peacemaker. The girls get on really well but if there is any tension he likes his peace.
‘‘He likes routine and to know what’s happening and to be in control. He’s quite sensitive to new people and new things. He’s quite impatient, which is typical of a male, but he’s very gentle with his females.
‘‘He was a very good dad which is unusual. Normally male orangutans don’t have anything to do with the children,’’ she said.
Charlie, originally from Singapore Zoo, came to Auckland when he was very young. Melur was born in Hong Kong Zoo and came via Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Wanita was born at Taronga.
Robbins said the two females were quite different and Charlie definitely had a favourite.
‘‘Melur is Charlie’s close friend, his favourite female. She’s very happy-go-lucky, we call her ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ because she’s always in a good mood.
Wanita was ‘‘a little bit darker in personality and colour’’ than the other animals, Robbins said.
Robbins said the orangutans would cope with the Canterbury winter as there were indoor facilities at Orana. Canterbury’s drier winters would also suit the apes because orangutans hate rain.
For the next two years, Orana would be the only place in New Zealand with gorillas and orangutans.
Auckland Zoo has been working with Orana to make sure the primates have everything they need.