For the first time in 28 years, Woodland Park Zoo welcomed a new addition to their orangutan family. The sweet and shy 8-year-old, male Sumatran orangutan named Godek arrived this summer from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado.
The reason for the relocation? Godek was moved under the recommendation of the Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP), a conservation breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of orangutans. Godek joins four other orangutans at the zoo, 49-year-old Chinta and 46-year-old Melati, both females; and 36-year-old female Belawan and 28-year-old male Heran. The plan is for Godek to be successfully socialized and live with the older females, Chinta and Melati.
After completing a standard quarantine earlier this summer at the zoo’s veterinary hospital, Godek was moved to the orangutan exhibit where he has been getting to know his new keepers and other orangutans in off-view dens.
Before their first day together in the indoor exhibit, introductions between Godek and Chinta began slowly and methodically in a behind the scenes area. Initial introductions, called “howdy” sessions, start with a safety barrier between the animals, such as mesh screening. This way they can see and smell each other, reach through for physical contact, but still have the security of being in their own physical space as they adjust to the presence of new faces.
Chinta was the first to break the ice with Godek. During the first howdy introduction, Godek did the usual spitting and pushing against the mesh, which is normal and not unexpected from the young male. Chinta didn’t balk at his displays. By day two, Godek took a hint from Chinta and settled into positive and calm interactions with her. When he met Melati through a howdy session several days later, the good vibes continued.
The orangutans live in the zoo’s Trail of Vines exhibit. As introductions continue, viewing will be limited and determined on a day-by-day basis.
Godek means “sideburns” in Indonesian. According to keepers at his former home, the juvenile orangutan is gentle and quiet but also very playful. A very agile orangutan, he is known for his slacklining and Spider-Man style antics and enjoys relaxing in hammocks.
Summer zoo hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. For more information or to become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org or call 206-548-2500.
