Finding a Companion for a Disabled Orangutan

Jackie Mobley

Center for Great Apes

Center for Great Apes A permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees

Eight male orangutans

7 females

Elevated Chute System Over one mile connecting habitats

Chutes

Howdies

Step One

Allie’s Story 18 year old female Partially paralyzed

Allie’s illness

CIDP ◦ Similar to recurring Guillain-Barre syndrome

◦ First episode at 6 years old

◦ Episode in 2004 left her almost entirely paralyzed

◦ Could not feed herself or change position

Recovery at Denver Zoo ◦ Physical therapy and massage program

◦ Direct contact

◦ Mutual trust between Allie and caregivers

Locomotion and mobility

Great Ape Trust of Iowa 2005-2012

Popi

Iowa to Florida

Allie and Popi

Both crated voluntarily. Neither sedated.

Move to Florida

Team of 6, including one maintenance

Cargo van with one follow car

28 hours nonstop

Habitat

Habitat modifications Fire Hoses

Habitat modifications Shelves

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

Direct Contact

Allie and Popi: the odd couple

Allie and Popi

Chuckie 28 year old castrated male

Why Chuck?

Friendly Chuckie

Chuckie + Allie

Allie + Chuckie

Allie + Chuckie

Bam Bam 14 year old adult male Lives with Tango

Bam & Tango

Bam and Tango

Tango 18 year old female Lives with Bam Bam

Louie 17 year old mature male

Why Lou?

Louie and Pebbles

Allie/Louie intro

Allie and Louie together

Allie & Louie Match made in heaven?

…EAR SEX… Risk of infection?

Allie & Louie Now happily cohabitating

Precautions still taken

Split up for meals

Split up at night

Never locked outside together ◦ Allie seems to be uncomfortable stuck in the dome with Louie

◦ Allie generally flees straight up into the cupola, a potentially dangerous position if Louie were to get worked up and pursue her

Able to examine Allie’s body and ears during physical therapy sessions

Allie & Louie

Popi’s progress