Top-Notch Care and Innovative Enrichment
At Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, we’re always looking for innovative ways to enrich and engage the animals in our care. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our first-ever orangutan gorge enrichment feeding, inspired by the natural fruiting seasons in their native habitats. This monthly event is designed to replicate the cycles of scarcity and abundance that Critically Endangered Sumatran orangutans experience in the wild. The hope is to offer our orangutans a unique and enriching opportunity to engage with their food just as they would in their native rainforests.
Natural Behaviors and Abundance
In the wild, orangutans gorge on native fruits during fruiting seasons and consume large quantities of food to sustain themselves during leaner times. To simulate this natural behavior, our orangutans will engage in monthly gorge events featuring 40 pounds of native fruits. These special treats include exotic options like jackfruit, coconut, passion fruit, papaya, guava, and more! Not only do these fruits mirror the textures and flavors found in their natural diets, but they also encourage the orangutans to exhibit the foraging and exploratory behaviors that are essential to their well-being.
Supporting Animal Well-Being and Understanding
A collaboration between our Animal Care and Nutrition teams, this innovative program not only supports the physical and mental health of our orangutans but also deepens our understanding of their behaviors and preferences. By mimicking the rhythms of their wild environments, we’re able to foster a deeper connection between our animals and the ecosystems they’re a part of.
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