Pictures shared by a zoo in Belgium are proving that friendship knows no bounds, even in the animal kingdom. An exhibit at Pairi Daiza park in Brugelette houses an unusual pairing of species: orangutans and otters. While the unlikely companions might not enjoy such playdates in the wild, they’ve formed a special bond with each other at the zoo.
Zoo Pictures Happy Family Life
The Sumatran orangutans at Pairi Daiza first met their new neighbors with a change in their exhibit. The zoo decided to run the river belonging to the Asian small-clawed otters through the apes’ territory, and it didn’t take long for both species to get curious. Since enrichment is a key part of the happiness and wellbeing of any animal kept in captivity, sharing the exhibit was a perfect way to make things interesting.
The pictures taken by the Pairi Daiza zoo show just how companionable the two families have become. In one photo, the youngest orangutan Berani appears to play a game of hide-and-seek with one of the otters. Peering up from a wooden plank as Berani looks down, the otter is equally inquisitive of his larger friend. Another picture shows the eldest parent of Berani, Ujian, entertaining a group of nearly 8 otters as they all stand before him. While seemingly the stuff of storybooks, a zoo spokesman notes the decision was also a scientific one.
“Two factors are very important for the well being of an animal in captivity: the size of his enclosure, but also the quality of his enclosure,” said Mathieu Goedfroy of Pairi Daiza zoo. “This means that an animal – and this is even more the case of orangutans, with whom humans share 97 percent of their DNA – must be entertained, occupied, challenged and kept busy mentally, emotionally and physically at all times.” The keepers have a solid program of riddles, puzzles, mind games, and activities to keep the hairy orange apes stimulated. Adding the otters into the mix was an added benefit for both parties. (1)
Making Zoo Life Fun
At Pairi Daiza, about 7,000 animals from around the world call the zoo their home. Sumatran orangutans are under threat in the wild, with only about 7,000 left in the natural habitats. Rapid deforestation, poaching, and destruction of their home make these primates a critically endangered species. Pairi Daiza does its part by providing education about these intelligent creatures. They also participate in scientific research and breeding programs to protect the species. (2)
Because of their high intelligence and communicative body language, creating a mixed-species exhibit truly makes the orangutans happy and engaged. Goedfroy notes that the Asian small-clawed otters share the enthusiasm. The otters “really enjoy getting out of the water on the orangutan island to go and play with their big, furry friends,” he says. “It makes life more fun and interesting for both animal species, which makes it a very successful experiment.” (1)
The Pair Daiza zoo’s pictures illustrate how unlikely groups can become friends, forming bonds that transcend species. This is a key lesson that all of humanity could learn from to enrich their lives for the better.
