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 MEDIA ADVISORY
October 11, 2007
CONTACT:
Kara Bussabarger
kara.bussabarger@louisvilleky.gov
502-238-5331 (502-744-5639 Media Cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Babies Day Out
Louisville Zoo’s three hand-raised baby
siamangs make public debut
(Photo: Baby siamang Sungai holds
onto Lousiville Zoo Keeper Jill Katka as she explores a tree. This
was Sungai's first time outside since arriving in Louisville in August.
Photo by Kara Bussabarger. More photos are available upon
request.)
Louisville Zoo’s three baby siamangs (all age 1
and under)—Zain, Zoli and Sungai—were greeted with snapping cameras and
smiling faces as they made their public debut today in the Islands
outdoor exhibit.
“This is definitely a special day,” said Jane
Anne Franklin, Louisville Zoo Animal Training Supervisor. “This is a big
step for these three youngsters. We are expanding their environment four
fold.”
As far as Franklin knows, the Louisville Zoo is
the only Zoo to ever hand raise three siamangs this young.
“There were times in the beginning when I would
just hold Zoli and cry after we lost his parents. I didn’t want to think
about him growing up without another siamang by his side. But now with
Zain and Sungai here, I am proud of how we are able to be a haven for
three orphaned babies. Now the tears I cry are of joy at seeing these
three bond and learn from each other what it is like to be a siamang.”
Franklin said the goal now is to get the three
adjusted to the new environments.
“My staff and I will be with them every step of
the way as they discover their independence. But this isn’t a quick
process,” she said. “Raising these three from babies to adults is about
a four year project for us. Siamang parents raise their young for about
five to seven years.”
While Zoo staff have been working tirelessly
and increased shifts to provide all three with quality care, Franklin
said it has definitely been worth it.
“I just knew the public would fall in love with
them,” Franklin smiled, “and to see these baby siamangs enjoy the
outside exhibit in front of the public for the first time is a milestone
and very special.”
While exact times haven’t been determined, the
public will now be able to view the three baby siamangs in the Islands
exhibit. But with winter approaching, Franklin said the three will be
out weather and other circumstances dependant. The hope is that they
will be visible to the public each afternoon. If and when a more exact
schedule is determined, it will be posted on the Zoo’s website,
www.louisvillezoo.org.
BACKGROUND
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Sungai
(pronounced SOON-gai), a 1-year-old female siamang from the San
Francisco Zoo, arrived at the Louisville Zoo Aug. 28. Sungai weighs
7.5 pounds and is bottle fed two times a day. She likes to eat
grapes and “loves grape juice. She would throw me under a bus to get
grape juice if it came to that,” Franklin laughed.
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Zoli was born at
the Louisville Zoo Feb. 20, but was orphaned April 4 when both his
parents died. Zoli weighs about 5 pounds and is bottle fed four
times a day. He really enjoys green beans, bananas and grapes.
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Zain, who arrived
in Louisville July 12 from Albuquerque Biological Park, is the
biological younger brother of Sungai. Their parents abandoned him
and Sungai at birth. Zain weighs about 3.5 pounds and is bottle fed
five times a day. Like Zoli, he really enjoys green beans, bananas
and grapes.
***
Siamangs, a lesser ape native to the forests of
Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra, are the top trapeze artists of the
animal world. They leap with confidence across formidable gaps between
branches, launching themselves 30-50 feet, using their hands as hooks.
They are the largest of the lesser apes and can vocalize so loudly that
it can be heard for up to three miles. To produce this loud call,
siamangs have a hairless, reddish-brown or gray throat pouch which acts
as a resonator to enhance the carrying of their call.
***
The Louisville
Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated
to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing
excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and
leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is
accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and by the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
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