The name for the first-born offspring of the female Diri was chosen by the breeders last year from almost two thousand suggestions from the public. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Every day, he becomes bolder and more active – that is the one-year-old Sumatran orangutan Harapan, the youngest ape at Prague Zoo. Thanks to his ancestors from the wild, he is a great genetic asset for the preservation of his critically endangered species. On Friday, May 2, “Hari” will be exactly one year old. The Prague Zoo will celebrate its first birthday a day later, on Saturday, May 3, in the Indonesian Jungle Pavilion.
Little Harapan still spends most of his time near his mother Diri, who takes exemplary care of her firstborn cub, and visitors are thus witnesses of her tender care every day. “Diri had already gained experience earlier when she helped her mother Mawar with raising her now four-year-old brother Kawi, whom she liked to carry in her arms,” explains chief primate keeper Martin Vojáček. But he is also interested in his father. “We are happy that Pagy is showing himself as a calm male and letting the cub actively explore him. Male orangutans do not normally get involved in their upbringing,” adds Vojáček.
Harapan means “hope” in Indonesian. He is the grandson of the famous Kama, whose parents came directly from the Sumatran forests, which are disappearing at a dizzying rate today. Photo Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo
Although the one-year-old “Hari” practices his climbing skills every day, he will have to wait some time for bigger acrobatic feats. “Mother Diri is still watching him closely, and when her cub embarks on a too-risky adventure, she does not hesitate to intervene. She offers him a helping hand or pulls him into her arms,” describes Vojáček.
Harapan will be breastfed by his mother until he is approximately four years old, but he already has developed baby teeth and is eager to try fruits, vegetables, and even granules for leaf-eating primates.
Prague Zoo will celebrate Harapan’s birthday all day on Saturday in the Indonesian Jungle pavilion. At 3:00 p.m., the one-year-old orangutan will receive special enrichment – mixed fruit in a termite mound. Every full hour from 10:00 to 16:00, visitors can look forward to commented meetings at the orangutan islands. Young visitors can learn more about these largest tree mammals at the game station Into the Jungle for Orangutans.
Little Harapan is one of the most popular residents of Prague Zoo and is also one of the most important cubs in terms of breeding. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Orangutans can be seen every day not only on the upper floor of the Indonesian Jungle pavilion, but also in the adjacent outdoor enclosure in good weather. They are active throughout the entire opening hours, which will be extended by an hour from May 1st – the gates of the Prague Zoo will now close at 19:00.