In Summer 2023, your Toronto Zoo opened the first outdoor orangutan habitat in the Zoo’s 49-year history. After years of construction, this new 16,000sq ft space was ready for the six Sumatran orangutans to start exploring at their own pace.

Choice and control was a key component to introducing each individual orangutan to the new habitat. The Indo-Malaya Wildlife Care team worked alongside the Welfare team to introduce them to their new home in a safe and positive way, despite many obstacles and delays.

Seeing Puppe exploring her new home and climbing the novel structures despite her old age was awe-inspiring and an award in itself! While the other orangutans may not have explored as much as Puppe, it was amazing considering how much of a change this was for them and we look forward to another spring/summer of them continuing to get used to this new enriching outdoor space.