An ingenious 62 kilogram orangutan short circuited electrical wires and climbed a fence using a makeshift ladder in an aborted escape attempt from Adelaide Zoo today.
The elaborate plot by 27-year-old Karta got her to within metres of the public, and resulted in the closure of the zoo on one of its busiest days of the year.
The elaborate plot by 27-year-old Karta got her to within metres of the public, and resulted in the closure of the zoo on one of its busiest days of the year.
Orangutan attempts zoo escape
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Karta the orangutan attempts escape from Adelaide Zoo, Australia
The alarm was raised by a member of the public about 11am.
Zoo curator Peter Whitehead said Karta had twisted a stick into hot wires that encircled her enclosure, short circuiting the wires and allowing her to enter a vegetated area near the concrete and glass fence that separated her from the public.
She then piled up sticks, grass and plant roots and used them to climb onto the fence.
”You're talking about an animal that's highly intelligent, Mr Whitehead said.
”So in this case she's decided to make a ladder and try to get out of her exhibit.”
Mr Whitehead said Karta was on the fence for about half an hour before climbing back down into the exhibit, after failing to make it past a second fence.
Youtube link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4bwp90dOTU
Zoo curator Peter Whitehead said Karta had twisted a stick into hot wires that encircled her enclosure, short circuiting the wires and allowing her to enter a vegetated area near the concrete and glass fence that separated her from the public.
She then piled up sticks, grass and plant roots and used them to climb onto the fence.
”You're talking about an animal that's highly intelligent, Mr Whitehead said.
”So in this case she's decided to make a ladder and try to get out of her exhibit.”
Mr Whitehead said Karta was on the fence for about half an hour before climbing back down into the exhibit, after failing to make it past a second fence.
Youtube link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4bwp90dOTU
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Evidence enough that animals do not belong in a zoo.
14.05.2009 22:55
Girraffes who should have miles on natural land to run in stand in a tiny concrete block, bears who like to have somewhere to take cover are exposed on fake rocks and curl up while displaying head nodding etc, the bird enclosures are shit encrusted minging pits that can be smelled from some way away, the "wild" dogs are in a small cage where they can see domestic pets running free in Regents Park, they don't even bother to pace but sit with their heads hung low.
Zoos stink! Close them down. They are not used for "conservation" but as a money spinner. While big glossy posters costing thousands are all over Camden the zoo is falling to bits, the animal's sheds are disgraceful, the whole place can be smelt from the road, park and canal...and it's mostly the smell of shit that isn't cleaned up. It's horrible and the animals have to live in it.
Any Animal Rights activists from Camden feel like shutting this shithole once and for all?
Mandy