At the zoo, orangutans make ‘A Very Special Bond’ with otters that frequently swim across their enclosure

Speaking audiences have been captivated by this story. The zoo invests a lot in the “enrichment” of their animal enclosures by mixing animal species that can communicate with one another or make them able to see each other. The importance of animal enrichment, especially for animals like orangutans, with whom humans share 97 percent of their DNA, cannot be overstated. Pairi Daiza Zoo has also been involved in conservation efforts to help out the native orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra by raising funds to plant trees.

_{Image credits: Caters News}

_{Image credits: Caters News}

The orangutan family at Pairi Daiza Zoo, consisting of dad Ujian, mom Sari, and their 4-year-old son Berani, has formed a special bond with their Asian small-clawed otter buddies. The two species mainly play chase games and hide-and-seek, with the otters hiding under large tree trunks or wooden constructions and Berani coming to look for them. The otters occasionally pop out to tease him, making it amazing to watch. This unlikely friendship between the orangutans and otters first formed when the zoo staff ran the otters’ river through the orangutans’ enclosure, highlighting the positive effects of the zoo’s enrichment program.

_{Image credits: Caters News}

_{Image credits: Caters News}

In addition to providing entertainment for their animals, Pairi Daiza Zoo has also successfully provided them with a good quality of life. The size and quality of an animal’s enclosure are two critical factors in their well-being, and Pairi Daiza Zoo invests heavily in their animals’ enclosures’ enrichment. This investment has paid off, as the zoo’s animals have been observed to be mentally, emotionally, and physically engaged.

_{Image credits: Caters News}

Pairi Daiza Zoo’s conservation efforts extend beyond animal residents to wild counterparts. The zoo has raised funds to plant trees in Borneo, where palm plantations threaten the orangutan population. As a result, the native orangutans have received much-needed help and habitat restoration.

The friendship between the orangutan family and otters at Pairi Daiza Zoo highlights the zoo’s enrichment program’s positive effects, which prioritizes their animals’ well-being and entertainment. Pairi Daiza Zoo’s conservation efforts to help out the native orangutans in Borneo also demonstrate the zoo’s commitment to animal welfare beyond their animal residents.