ORANGUTAN (Pongo) CARE MANUAL CREATED BY THE AZA Ape Taxon Advisory Group & Orangutan Species Survival Plan® Program IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AZA Animal Welfare Committee Orangutan (Pongidae/Pongo) Care Manual Orangutan (Pongo) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in association with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee Formal Citation: AZA Ape Taxon Advisory Group. (2017). Orangutan (Pongo) Care Manual. Silver Spring, MD: Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Original Completion Date: February 2015 Authors and Significant Contributors: Anne Nacey Maggioncalda, Duke University, (former) Primate researcher Barb Weber, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Zoological Manager Barbara Lester, Houston Zoo, Primate Curator (retired) Beth Schaefer, Los Angeles Zoo, General Curator Carol Sodaro, Brookfield Zoo, Associate Curator of Carnivores, Chicago Zoological Society, Orangutan SSP Husbandry Advisor Christine M. Cassella, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, (former) Graduate Research Associate Christine Mallar, Zoo Atlanta (former) Primate Keeper Cindy Cossaboon, Denver Zoo, Primate Keeper Craig Demitros, Brookfield Zoo, Associate Curator of Primates Danielle Fogarty, Brookfield Zoo, Primate Keeper Deb Schmidt, Ph.D., Saint Louis Zoo, Animal Nutritionist Dina Bredahl, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Animal Care Manager Elizabeth Frank, Milwaukee County Zoo, Primate Curator (retired) Eve Lyon, Audubon Zoo, Primate Curator (retired) Eve Watts, Audubon Zoo, Primate researcher (retired) Ian Singleton, Ph.D., Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme, Director Ingrid Porton, Saint Louis Zoo, Primate Curator (retired) Jan W. Rafert, Milwaukee County Zoo, Primate Curator (retired) Jane Anne Franklin, Louisville Zoo, Curator of Mammals and Animal Training Supervisor Jill Mellen, Ph.D., Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Education & Science Director (retired) Joe Smith, DVM, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Director of Animal Programs Karen S. Killmar, San Diego Zoo, Primate Curator (retired) Laura K. Mayo, Zoo Atlanta, (former) Assistant Curator of Primates Leif Cocks, The Orangutan Project, Founder and President Lori Perkins, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Education & Science Director, Orangutan SSP Chair Marty MacPhee, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Guest Animal Experience Program Manager Marsha Fernandez, Audubon Zoo, (former) Primate Curator Megan Elder, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Zoo Keeper, Orangutan SSP Vice Chair Melanie Bond, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Primate keeper (retired) Meredith Bastian, Ph.D., Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, Curator of Primates Michelle Shaw, Taronga Conservation Society, Nutritionist Nancy Czekala, Papoose Conservation Wildlife Foundation, Founder and Director Nancy Lung, VMD, Forth Worth Zoo, Director of Veterinary Services (retired) Nava Greenblatt, Brookfield Zoo, Lead Primate Keeper Sally Boutelle, IT/Data Specialist Enrollment Management Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Sandy Walker, Rolling Hills Zoo, Board of Directors President Suzanne Husband, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, Primate Keeper Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2 Orangutan (Pongidae/Pongo) Care Manual Reviewers: Meredith Bastian, Ph.D., Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Curator of Primates Cindy Cossaboon, Denver Zoo, Primate Keeper Megan Elder, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Zoo Keeper, Orangutan SSP Vice Chair Austin Leeds, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Graduate Research Associate Nancy Lung, VMD, Forth Worth Zoo, Director of Veterinary Services (retired) Lori Perkins, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Education & Science Director, Orangutan SSP Chair Joe Smith, DVM, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Director of Animal Programs Deb Schmidt, Ph.D., Saint Louis Zoo, Animal Nutritionist Carol Sodaro, Brookfield Zoo, Associate Curator of Carnivores, Orangutan SSP Husbandry Advisor AZA Staff Editors: Felicia Spector, Animal Care Manual Editor Consultant Candice Dorsey, PhD, Director, Animal Programs Debborah Luke, PhD, Senior Vice President, Conservation & Science Rebecca Greenberg, Animal Programs Coordinator Haley Gordon, AZA Conservation & Science Intern Cover Photo Credits: SSP logo designed by Erin Jones, Utah’s Hogle Zoo Disclaimer: This manual presents a compilation of knowledge provided by recognized animal experts based on the current science, practice, and technology of animal management. The manual assembles basic requirements, best practices, and animal care recommendations to maximize capacity for excellence in animal care and welfare. The manual should be considered a work in progress, since practices continue to evolve through advances in scientific knowledge. The use of information within this manual should be in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning the care of animals. While some government laws and regulations may be referenced in this manual, these are not all-inclusive nor is this manual intended to serve as an evaluation tool for those agencies. The recommendations included are not meant to be exclusive management approaches, diets, medical treatments, or procedures, and may require adaptation to meet the specific needs of individual animals and particular circumstances in each institution. Commercial entities and media identified are not necessarily endorsed by AZA. The statements presented throughout the body of the manual do not represent AZA standards of care unless specifically identified as such in clearly marked sidebar boxes. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 3 Orangutan (Pongidae/Pongo) Care Manual Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Taxonomic Classification ...................................................................................................................... 6 Genus, Species, and Status ................................................................................................................. 6 General Information ............................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 1. Ambient Environment ........................................................................................................ 9 1.1 Temperature and Humidity ............................................................................................................ 9 1.2 Light ................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 Water and Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Sound and Vibration ..................................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2. Habitat Design and Containment .................................................................................. 13 2.1 Space and Complexity .................................................................................................................. 13 2.2 Safety and Containment ............................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 3. Records ................................................................................................................................ 28 3.1 Definitions ....................................................................................................................................... 28 3.2 Types of Records .......................................................................................................................... 28 3.3 Permit Considerations .................................................................................................................. 29 3.4 Identification ................................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 4. Transport ............................................................................................................................. 30 4.1 Preparations ................................................................................................................................... 30 4.2 Protocols ......................................................................................................................................... 31 Chapter 5. Social Environment ........................................................................................................... 34 5.1 Group Structure and Size ............................................................................................................ 34 5.2 Influence of Others and Conspecifics ........................................................................................ 34 5.3 Introductions and Reintroductions .............................................................................................. 35 Chapter 6. Nutrition ............................................................................................................................... 38 6.1 Nutritional Requirements .............................................................................................................. 38 6.2 Diets ................................................................................................................................................ 42 6.3 Nutritional Evaluations .................................................................................................................