Orang utans at Singapore Flyer - zoo clarifies

Straits Times Forum 21 Jun 08;

WE REFER to yesterday's online letter by Mr Chang Qizhong on putting orang utans on the Singapore Flyer. We would sincerely like to thank Mr Chang for his feedback, and understand and appreciate his interest.

The objective of having the orang utans in the Flyer was to highlight to a wider audience the plight of orang utans and the destruction of their rainforest habitat. By doing this, we were able to disseminate the conservation message to people who may not have been aware of this very serious issue.

Broadcasting the conservation message through the juxtaposition of the orang utans against the backdrop of the city skyline serves to remind urban planners, developers and plantation owners that the orang utan habitats are fragile areas and, once destroyed, almost impossible to replace.

The fact is, there is already not much natural setting left for them, and the rate with which we are losing these green spaces is decreasing at an alarming rate. We would like to assure Mr Chang that at no time were the orang utans exposed to a highly unnatural and stressful situation.

The team from Singapore Zoo visited the Singapore Flyer on several occasions to understand how the orang utans would react to the environment and whether they would be comfortable with the new location. During the trips, the orang utans were accompanied by their curators and keepers who have cared for them since birth. They were comfortable and enjoying their rambutans and other fruits in the capsule. Please be assured that Chomel and Merlin were completely relaxed and Merlin, especially, proceeded to do what he does most of the time - eat.

Our collaboration with Singapore Flyer during the June holidays is significant as this will help widen our reach to people who may not realise the significance of maintaining the biodiversity of the region.

Apart from this foray beyond the boundaries of the Singapore Zoo, Chomel and Merlin live in one of the best natural habitats for captive orang utans within the zoological world.

We are convinced that the conservation and public awareness messages conveyed through the various media reports have helped to raise the awareness on the plight of the orang utans. Orang utans are endangered and, if we do not act quickly and make informed decisions regarding how we manage their habitats and their survival, we may only see them in zoos, books or media reports in the near future.

To date, the Singapore Zoo has undertaken orang utan conservation efforts within and out of their natural habitats. Apart from a good track record of breeding 34 of these charismatic animals in captivity, the zoo also contributed veterinary supplies to the Nyaru Menteng Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Kalimantan in 2005. The centre's focus is to rescue illegally-kept orang utans and rehabilitate them for eventual release into designated rainforests.

Our educational outreach programmes are not only limited to the zoo. We also have 'Zoo Goes to School' programmes which involves visits to educational institutions. This year, the zoo has pledged monetary contribution towards helping orang utans in the wild in both in Sumatra and Borneo.

With regards to photography, the orang utans were not at the Singapore Flyer for a photography session with visitors. Photographs taken by members of the public at that time were purely opportunistic. At no time were these members of the public allowed to come into close contact with, or to touch, the orang utans. We would like to reassure Mr Chang that we have always been aware of such issues even within our zoo setting.

Our experience has shown that once people make a connection with an animal through a real-life encounter or by capturing a special moment in a photograph, their perception and interest in doing more for that particular animal, either through active conservation or making informed decisions, is further heightened.

Singapore Zoo recognises that there are institutions and individuals who will employ animals for commercial purposes at the expense of the animals' welfare. This is not what we do at Singapore Zoo. Our token feeding sessions are not forced activities, neither are they dedicated photography sessions. Rather, the sessions are accompanied by live commentary, and the orang utans are given the choice to join in if they so please.

Once again, we would like to thank Mr Chang for his letter.

Biswajit Guha
Assistant Director, Zoology
Singapore Zoo