Singapore orangutans fly the primate cause
Please note– this is borderline exploitative. However, since the end goal is clearly to raise awareness of the plight of wild orangutans and to raise funds from wealthy Malaysians in order to protect orangutans (who are being slaghtered by palm oil corporations)– then we’ll let it slide… ~ Rich
Two orangutans from the Singapore Zoo had a free ride on the Singapore Flyer yesterday as part of a drive to raise awareness of the plight of these primates.
Chomel, the fifth granddaughter of former zoo icon Ah Meng who died in February, and Merlin, a four-year-old Bornean orangutan, took the first spin of the wheel yesterday.
Accompanied by their handlers, the two orangutans kept gazing out of the capsule at the sights of Singapore’s Central Business District throughout the 30-minute tour.
Back on land, the orangutans were a hit with those who had come for a ride on the Flyer, many stopping to take photographs with them.
Both the Sumatran and Bornean orangutans live in rainforests and are threatened by habitat destruction [for palm oil], forest fires and poaching for the illegal pet trade.
It is estimated that there are 55,000 Bornean orangutans, and only 7,500 Sumatran orangutans, left in the wild. This makes the Sumatran species critically endangered.
To highlight the plight of orangutans, Singapore Flyer and the Singapore Zoo will hold wildlife conservation themed events for children every weekend from 2pm to 4pm from tomorrow to June 30.
Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_247143.html
June 20th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Where is the other side of the story?? From what i heard is the primates actually gone “beserk” in the wheels and nearly caused their lifes ……
Is this really out to conserve wildlife,raise awareness ??!!! Or some free advertising for the world largest ferris wheels,or trying to get more customer to the Zoo since they lost their “celebrity” Orangutan late Feb this year ?? ……points to ponder