Taipei City Government

Taipei Zoo announced that Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) will fund the City’s orangutan conservation project in a bid to raise public awareness on the importance of animal conservation and ecological education.
 
Since 2016, Taipei Zoo has participated in the “Orangutan Regional Species Management Program in Asia” as part of the effort to effectively control captive populations of the endangered species, ensure genetic diversity, and avoid inbreeding through collaboration between zoos.
 
By keeping sound track records, regularly updating species data, and analyzing species composition, zoos involved in the program will be able to implement kinship-based breeding and pairing plans that help maintain a 90 percent genetic diversity rate for ex situ conservation.
 
The fund sponsored by APP will be directed to species management and improvement of well-being for the orangutans living in enclosure. Hopefully, the apes placed in ex situ locations will be reintroduced to their natural habitats someday.           

On January 27, a total of 30 individuals enrolled in the orangutan adoption program were invited to an event held by Taipei Zoo, featuring instructions of animal care workers on the behavior of orangutans as well as hands-on sessions allowing participants to make “snack bags” used to lure the apes to engage in physical activity.