Tag: Orangutan

PORTLAND, OR – Bob the orangutan is marking a major milestone at the Oregon Zoo, turning 20 years old this week, and his care team says he’s grown into an exceptional ape — and an even more exceptional father.

The zoo will celebrate Bob’s birthday Saturday, January 24, with keeper chats at 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

“Bob really is a special orangutan,” said Kate Gilmore, who oversees the zoo’s primate area. “When he came here, he was still pretty young, and his care team has watched him grow up. He’s become a great companion to Kitra and a great father to Jolene.”

Bob arrived at the Oregon Zoo in 2014 from South Carolina’s Greenville Zoo. A year later, he was joined by Kitra, who came from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The moves followed recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, a cooperative effort to maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations of threatened and endangered species.

Since arriving in Portland, Bob’s appearance has changed dramatically. As male orangutans mature, they develop large cheek pads known as flanges and grow long red beards. Gilmore said the flanges can signal dominance to other males and help attract females.

Keepers weren’t sure what to expect when Bob and Kitra welcomed their daughter, Jolene, in 2022. In the wild, orangutans do not usually live in family groups, and fathers are rarely involved in raising young.

“Bob really broke the mold,” Gilmore said. “He’s been great with Jolene — they are so sweet together.”

Bob met Jolene when she was just a week old, and the pair quickly formed a strong bond. Keepers often see them playing, sharing snacks and spending time together as a family.

Orangutans are critically endangered, largely due to habitat loss caused by logging and the conversion of forests into oil palm plantations. The animals also face threats from hunting and the illegal pet trade.

Since 2008, the Oregon Zoo has partnered with the conservation group Hutan to protect Bornean orangutans through reforestation, conflict reduction and community-based efforts. The zoo says visitors interested in helping orangutans can find small, everyday actions on its website that support conservation efforts.