They’re 97.4% like us but it stands to reason we should care 100% about these furry folk, not least because they are the only remaining species of their subfamily Ponginae, are among the most intelligent primates and, well, are just very orange and fluffy. Wild orangutans live in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra however poaching, habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade have seen severe declines occur in both the population and range of the species.
If you get down reading the above, you should definitely stop by Auckland Zoo this weekend to celebrate International Orangutan Caring Week (15 – 23 November) to learn how we can fight their extinction and, you know, just appreciate their fluffy majesty a while.
An ideal outing for the whole family, Auckland Zoo will be hosting a bunch of orangutan-themed games and activities, face painting, story telling and encounters. If you simply can’t wait for the weekend (you enthusiast, you!), The Great Ape Race will be taking place on Thursday 20 November, leading participants on an amazing race around the Zoo to raise money for orangutan conservation.
Participation in the race will set you back $30.00 (with all proceeds going to conservation efforts) while the weekend’s festivities are included in the price of your admission.