Amber
“The Socialite”
Orangutan Amber was born
at the Como Park Zoo in St. Paul,
Minnesota in 1987 and arrived at
the Louisville Zoo in 1996. She is
part Bornean orangutan and part
Sumatran. You may be thinking,
“Borneo, isn’t that tropical?” It
is! Bornean orangutans are accus-
tomed to tropical rainforest climates
on the island of Borneo, so they are
used to warmer temperatures. Our
award-winning rotational Islands
exhibit keeps our orangutans (and
you) nice and toasty during frosty
winter weather with warm, climate-
controlled areas.
Visiting Amber in the Island's
Dayroom is always a treat, espe-
cially when there are fewer visitors
around. Amber loves to interact with
Akane
“The Gentle One”
guests. Winter is a less popu-
lar time for visitors so you
may get her full attention on
your next visit. Orangutans
require mental stimulation
to keep them sufficiently
engaged; freedom of choice
is critical to their well-being.
Amber makes it clear she’d
rather socialize when given
the opportunity. Visit Amber
at the right time and she
may tap the glass to get
your attention and turn her
curious gaze to your pretty
manicure and shiny jewelry,
or gesture towards your bag in an
effort to see what’s inside.
Orangutans are primarily solitary
in the remnant wild but are capable
of forming strong social attach-
ments. Unfortunately, Amber’s wild
cousins are critically endangered.
Lovely 10-year-old red-crowned
crane Akane came to live at the Zoo
in November of 2007. Curator of
Birds, Gary Michael, was astounded
by her amazingly calm and gentle
disposition. “I’ve had some surreal
experiences in her company,” he said.
“She will very calmly walk within five
to ten feet of our keeper staff and
then stand with us. This is unusual.”
Louisville has been the leading
breeder of the red-crowned cranes
in North America for the last five
years. These cranes are endangered
due to a small overall population
and an unstable population in Asia.
There are about 3,000 birds left
in the remnant wild. The species
continues to be on the decline in
mainland Asia primarily because of
habitat destruction.
The majority of orangutan habitats
are still located outside of protected
areas. Deforestation, palm oil plan-
tations and illegal hunting are major
threats to this charismatic species.
Learn how to help orangutans.
Visit redapes.org.
Luckily, the population that
resides in Japan is slowly increas-
ing. The species is highly regarded
in Japanese culture, often seen as a
symbol of fidelity in marriage, good
luck and a long life. Akane’s name
means “brilliant red” or “deep red”
in Japanese. “The species is so love-
ly in appearance and disposition, it’s
not at all surprising to me that it is
beloved in Japan,” Gary said.
Red-crowned cranes are accus-
tomed to cooler climates, so Akane
will be available for viewing during
the winter in the areas near the
path from Tiger Tundra to Glacier
Run if you look beyond the train
track. Be sure to stop and wave to
her as you make your way from vis-
iting Amur tiger Etta to see grizzly
bear Rita in Glacier Run!
Inside Your Zoo
In October, six year-old polar bear Siku made his way to the Lincoln Park Zoo in
Chicago, a move recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Species Survival Program: a cooperative breeding and conservation program to
assist endangered species. Glacier Run keeper, Hunter Veeneman, was part of
Siku’s transport team and stayed with Siku to help him settle into his new home.
The team packed some of Siku’s favorite bedding and enrichment items to enjoy
at Lincoln Park. Hunter will remain in contact and work with the Lincoln Park team
in the coming months to assist with Siku’s transition to his new home.
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Winter 2016 • 5