PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
For immediate release | February 18, 2015
Media contact: Gigi Allianic
206.548.2550 | [email protected]
Zoo hosts a birthday party for its senior apes
Twin orangutans and gorilla mates turn 47
WHAT:
th
Woodland Park Zoo hosts Great Ape Senior Celebration to mark the 47
birthdays of its oldest orangutan and gorilla residents: male orangutan Towan
(toe-WAHN) and twin sister Chinta (CHEEN-tuh), and lifetime companions,
gorillas Pete and Nina, all born in 1968. Towan currently is North America’s
oldest male orangutan born in captivity.
The orangutans will be treated to gift-wrapped presents loaded with favorite
treats, party streamers and a special “ape” cake. Towan will even get his first
try at playing B9, I26, N33, G55, O74…Bingo!
While the apes revel in their treats, party-goers have the opportunity to sign
birthday wishes on giant cards for the animals, chat with keepers, learn fun
and fascinating facts about orangutans and gorillas from docents at
discovery stations, and enter a free drawing for a commemorative art piece
hand painted by Towan. Keepers will discuss milestones of these apes,
gorilla populations in zoos and the importance of geriatric husbandry.
On the day of the birthday party, anyone showing proof of being born in
1968 gets free admission to the zoo. Just present appropriate ID at any
zoo ticket window.
See photos of the birthday guests of honor at www.zoo.org/apeparty.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 21, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Treats for gorillas: 10:00
Presents for orangutans: 11:00
WHERE:
Meet PR staff at the West Entrance at Phinney Ave. N. between N. 55 & N.
th
th
56 Sts. Park in the Penguin Lot at N. 55 St. & Phinney Ave. N. or Otter Lot
th
off N. 59 St. & Phinney Ave. N.
WHO:
Twin orangutans Towan and Chinta were born at Woodland Park Zoo and
gained instant national celebrity status as the first-known twin orangutans
born in a zoo. Photos of the pair in diapers appeared around the globe,
including “Life” magazine. While other twins have since been born, twin
orangutan births are still a rare occurrence.
th
The orangutans can be found in the award-winning Trail of Vines, along with
43-year-old Melati; 33-year-old Belawan, daughter of Towan and Melati; and
26-year-old Heran, son of Towan and Melati.
Gorillas Pete and Nina are the zoo’s oldest gorillas and lifetime residents and
companions. They are the foundation of the zoo’s gorilla program and have
had four offspring togetherall living at other zoos13 grandchildren and
four great-grandchildren.
Pete and Nina can currently be seen in the west gorilla shelter in the awardwinning Tropical Rain Forest. Other gorillas currently living at the zoo in
separate groups are: males Vip, 36; Leonel, 37; and females Amanda, 45;
Jumoke, 29; Nadiri, 19; Akenji, 13; Calaya, 12; Uzumma, 7.
Due to improved husbandry and management techniques, excellent animal
care, better nutrition, increased medical knowledge, diagnostic and
therapeutic techniques, animals in zoos are living longer. In zoos, gorillas,
particularly female gorillas, can live in to their 40s and 50s, and orangutans
up to 60 years.
INFO:
Orangutans, an endangered species, belong to the family Hominidae, which
includes all four great apes: gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans.
Distinct species of orangutans live on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in
Southeast Asia. Overpopulation, logging, agriculture, conversion of forests to
oil palm plantations, and other human activities are rapidly destroying forest
environments required by orangutans for survival. Learn about Woodland
Park Zoo’s partnership with Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation
Program in Borneo, whose focus is to help build a future where orangutans
and other wildlife can thrive alongside local villages.
The bushmeat trade, facilitated by logging, has become an immediate threat
to the western lowland gorilla population, particularly in Cameroon.
Woodland Park Zoo supports conservation efforts for the critically
endangered western lowland gorilla through the Mbeli Bai Study, which
researches the social organization and behaviors of more than 400 lowland
gorillas living in the southwest of Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, Republic of
Congo. The data collected enables scientists to assess the vulnerability of
populations to habitat threats and predict their ability to recover from decline.
COST:
Great Ape Senior Celebration is free with zoo admission. Anyone born in
1968 gets free admission to the zoo on February 21 by showing proof.
Admission: Adult (13-64) $13.75; Child (3-12) $9.25; Toddler (0-2) free.
Active, retired, and veteran U.S. military and their families, seniors and
people with physical disabilities receive an admission discount. Zoo
members receive free zoo admission year round. Parking: $5.25.
Zoo winter hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily. For more information or to
become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500.
###
Page 2