Orangutans spend little time on the ground. They live in the trees of the tropical forests in Southeast Asia. Their long arms help them move through the trees of the forest in search of food, such as fruits and leaves. The husks of trees and insects are also coveted by these animals, also known as “People of the Forest” by the people of Indonesia and Malaysia for their uncanny resemblance to humans.
Unfortunately for orangutans, these trees, which serve as their safe home and food sources are being destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations and other agricultural businesses. Learn more about what you can do to help the orangutans of Sumatra and Borneo in Southeast Asia. Visit Brookfield Zoo for a weekend dedicated to apes in Ape Awareness Weekend in order to learn more about this and to see the orangutans at Tropic World: Asia.
Saturday, APEril 5 and Sunday, APEril 6
10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tropic World
Learn about apes, their plight in the wild, and the need for their conservation. Join zoo staff for ape-related activities inside Tropic World and to help support ape conservation.
Special Zoo Chats:
12:00 p.m. Gibbons
1:00 p.m. Orangutans
2:00 p.m. Animals in South America
2:45 p.m. Gorillas
Recycle cell phones and Save Gorillas
Did you know that you can help save gorillas by recycling your old cell phones?
Mining for coltan, a mineral widely used in cell phones, is threatening gorillas and other forest species in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bring your old cell phone and their accessories, pagers, handheld games, e-readers, and laptops to the zoo’s recycling stations located at North and South Gates for recycling.
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