With so much pressure on wildlife globally it’s important to engage, connect with and understand the pressures which are threatening so many species with extinction. Orangutans are one of these species. For many, the zoo, whether you love them or hate them, is the first chance for the next generation who may make a real difference to first see and then start to make this connection.
The zoo’s souvenir shop is busy. Going largely unnoticed amongst the plush toys and colourful trinkets sits a plastic orangutan, its lifeless form is sadly such a poor representation of a magnificent creature. Orangutans are one of our closest cousins, sharing 97% of our DNA sequencing. They are intelligent, sentient beings but this plastic figure captures none of that and is a stark reminder of the commodification of nature in the modern world.
The Zoo: Captivity, Curiosity and Disconnection
Beyond the gift shop, real orangutans swing lazily from one structure to another within the confines of their zoo enclosure. Visitors snap photos and selfies, captivated momentarily, but often failing to see beyond the spectacle or realise the impact which captivity – for their entertainment – has had on these majestic but imprisoned great apes.
These orangutans, transported from the lush rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, now reside in metal enclosures in Singapore Zoo, far from their natural homes. The zoo claims that every ticket sold supports conservation efforts, though this is by no means common amongst zoos in general. It raises questions about the true cost of keeping these animals in captivity.
A conversation with a young zoo ranger in charge of the orangutan section reveals a significant disconnect. Despite his passion and knowledge about these primates, he admits, “I’ve never been to Borneo. I’m too busy working.” His response highlights a broader issue: the disconnect between urban life and the natural world, a gap that extends to many visitors who view these animals without understanding their plight or natural habitats.
Human exploitation of the rainforests where they live naturally is putting increasing pressure on orangutans and other species to survive in a shrinking habitat. How many visitors consider journeying to the native habitats of the animals they see for themselves? Do they understand the challenges these creatures face or the reasons they ended up in captivity? Is the best we can hope for is seeing them in captivity and buying a plastic toy of them will spark enough interest to make them find out more and become a conservationist?
Perhaps the first step towards bridging this gap could be taken by the zoos themselves, encouraging their staff to experience the wild firsthand, although the profit motive will almost certainly prevent this from happening.
The Rehabilitation Centres: A Glimmer of Hope
Between the wild and the zoos there is a half-way house – the orangutan rehabilitation centres. They take in sick and injured orangutans, working tirelessly to heal and, where possible, release these animals back into the wild.
In contrast, orangutan rehabilitation centers offer a different perspective. Here, the transformation from sick and injured to healthy and playful is evident. These centers work tirelessly to heal and, when possible, release orangutans back into the wild.
The transformation from sick and injured to healthy and playful is reward in itself but it takes time, dedication and a huge effort to by people who care to bring these apes back to the point when they can be re-habituated into the wild. Leif Cocks, founder of The Orangutan Project, expresses deep admiration, stating, “I see in their eyes a more noble form of life.” These centres provide hope, evidencing the resilience of these primates and the possibility of a return to the rainforest.
Into the Wild: The Rainforest Experience
To truly grasp the majesty of orangutans, they must be seen in their natural habitat. Here, they move freely through the canopy, foraging and interacting in ways impossible to observe or even comprehend in captivity. Here their individual characters become evident.
The heart of the Bornean rainforest, amidst towering trees and dense foliage, is where you can encounter wild and semi-wild orangutans. To see them in the wild takes your breath away and the intelligence of these highly evolved apes shines through.
Erwin, a guide at Tanjung Puting National Park, observes, “When I see orangutans, I see us – humans thousands of years ago who lived in the forests.” This profound connection between humans and orangutans becomes clear as visitors immerse themselves in the orangutans’ world. Another ranger, Tony, feels both pride and empathy, describing his work as driven by so much more than just money.
An Invitation to Change
As with so many species, time is not on our side, or rather their sides. If it wasn’t for us, orangutans, along with so much other wildlife, would be thriving within nature’s natural balance. We’ve changed that dynamic, now we need to change it back before it’s too late.
The journey from seeing orangutans as mere toys on a shop shelf to observing them alive, as complex, sentient beings, is life-changing. It is more than a Toy Story. It challenges us to reimagine our relationship with nature and the impact of our actions on the wilder regions of this planet – not just with one species but with everything from the smallest to the largest living things.
How can we make an impact? How can we do our bit to reverse human’s impact on the planet and allow nature to recover? It starts with the smallest things to reduce our carbon footprint and goes through everything from the way we live, the way we vote and the way we travel. All these create pressure on the decisions makers who can really affect change.
Next time you’re travelling take an ecotourism option and if you have the opportunity to take an adventure into the rainforest to go and see the orangutans for yourself, it will undoubtedly deepen your compassion and empathy for these incredible creatures.
To see more of Denys Kutsevalov images visit his website
Website: https://nomads.wtf/
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