
Sumatran Orangutan Berlin Zoo
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If you are staying at any of the great hotels in Berlin, you
are undoubtedly staying within walking distance of this
zoo. It is
located on the outskirts of the Tiergarten, the large park in the center of
the city. The park itself is bigger than the country of Monaco.
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[more pics]
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The Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) is
the rarer of the two species of
orangutans. Living and endemic to
Sumatra
island of
Indonesia, they are smaller than the
Bornean Orangutan. The Sumatran Orangutan grows to about 1.4 metres
(4.6 ft) tall and 90 kilograms (200 lb) in males. Females are smaller,
averaging 90 centimetres (3.0 ft) and 45 kilograms (99 lb).
Compared to the Bornean Orangutan, the Sumatran Orangutan
tends to be more
frugivorous and especially
insectivorous.[3]
Preferred fruits include
figs and
jackfruits. It also will eat bird eggs and small vertebrates. The
Sumatran Orangutans spend far less time feeding on the inner bark of
trees.
Wild Sumatran Orangutans in the Suaq Balimbing swamp
have been observed using tools. An orangutan will break off a tree
branch that's about a foot long, snap off the twigs and fray one end. It
then will use the stick to dig in tree holes for termites. They'll also
use the stick to poke a bee's nest wall, move it around and catch the
honey. In addition, orangutans use tools to eat fruit. When the fruit of
the
Neesia tree ripens, its hard, ridged husk softens until it falls
open. Inside are seeds that the orangutans love, but they are surrounded
by fiberglass-like hairs that are painful if eaten. |
A Neesia-eating orangutan will select a five-inch
stick, strip off its bark, and then carefully collect the hairs with it.
Once the fruit is safe, the ape will eat the seeds using the stick or its
fingers. Although similar swamps can be found in Borneo, wild Bornean
Orangutans have not been seen using these types of tools.
What to expect at the Berlin zoo.
Thousands of great animals included in a well laid out zoo/aquarium setup.
I was surprised by the size of the place. Not just a cage with
one or two elephants but, apparently, a whole african savanah with a herd of
elephants. Not just elephants, but
giraffes,
lions, gorillas,
kangaroos,
polar bears,
tigers,
emus and, even, a glimpse of (not one, but two)
okapi. |
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from
wikipedia
"The Berlin
Zoological Garden (German:
Zoologischer Garten Berlin)
is the oldest and internationally most well known zoo in
Germany.
Opened in 1844 it comprises an area of 35 hectares and is located in
Berlin,
Tiergarten. With almost 1,400 different
species
and around 14,000 animals the zoo presents the most comprehensive collection
of species in the world.
The zoo and its
aquarium
numbered 3.2 million visitors in 2007. It is considered to be the most
visited zoo in Europe and one of the most popular worldwide. Regular animal
feedings are among its most famous attractions. Several globally known
animals like
Knut, the polar bear or Bao Bao, the Giant Panda are contributing to the
zoo's public image.
The zoo is closely collaborating on scientific fields with a large number
of universities, research institutes, and other zoos around the world. It
maintains and promotes numerous
European breeding programmes and safeguards several endangered species.
A number of species kept at the 'Berlin Zoo' are regularly returned to the wild after
years in intensive human care."
A couple of nice places to eat, inside or out. Lots of signs pointing
the way and a comprehensive
zoo map in our guide book.
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