10/23/2025
We've got some new orangutan BFFs on our hands! Read on and check out the video to learn about the Orangutan Team's new flexible housing strategy, and the sweet new relationships blossoming over in the Asian Forest (Pongo fans - this one's for you).
The next time you visit the Zoo, you may notice that orangutans are living in different habitats, or with different individuals than what you are used to seeing. One reason is that we have been giving the orangutans the ability to experience new social groupings that mimic how they live in the wild.
In the wild, female orangutans tend to stay in one large territory, and males roam through multiple territories and visit several females throughout their lives. Therefore, it is common for females to encounter multiple males throughout their lifetime. The females have been known to choose which males they prefer, and then they allow those males to spend more time in their territory. Juvenile or adult males usually do not live together in human care or in the wild.
The Orangutan Species Survival Plan® (SSP) has recommended that zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) should consider a “flexible housing” situation for orangutans when possible. This means that under certain circumstances, orangutans can rotate among the individuals with whom they spend their time. Orangutan care professionals take into consideration the age, health, and social history of each individual, and always make sure adult males are not housed together. Orangutans can live with other individuals for a few hours, days, months, years, or even spend some time alone. This gives them different interactions and experiences as they encounter different individuals.
At Zoo Atlanta, our juvenile male orangutans Pelari and Pongo are growing up, so we decided it was a perfect time to introduce them separately to our juvenile female Keju. We wanted to give each of them more opportunities to interact since all are pretty social in their family groups. We thought given their active, playful personalities, it was likely they would get along well. The Orangutan Team spends a lot of time taking care of the orangutans, and this includes learning their unique personalities. We want to set the orangutans up for success, so a lot of thoughts goes into these pairings.
Our first introduction was between Keju and Pelari, and after a few introductions, they bonded and played together well. They each return to their family groups after their time together is over, but they enjoy the time they spend together.
As our other juvenile male Pongo grew up, he naturally separated from his dad Benny and mom Blaze just as he would in the wild. In order to give Pongo more social opportunities, we decided to introduce him to Keju. Pongo had only lived with his mom and dad, so we thought he would enjoy meeting other orangutans too. Pongo was very nervous during the first introduction, and Pongo and Keju took a little while to get to know each other. They each had to learn new ways to interact with a new individual. Both had grown up with different styles of play and culture. Once they learned how to communicate with each other, they got along really well. They are both very active orangutans, so they wrestle, chase, and play during their days together. Since Keju also still lives with her foster brother Remy, she reunites with him after her day with Pongo is over. Pongo still seems to enjoy his alone time, and usually makes a large nest and goes to sleep early after Keju leaves. They definitely wear each other out during their active days together.
We are in discussion about trying more flexible housing options with other individuals in the future, but there are more challenges and things to consider with introducing older orangutans.
At Zoo Atlanta, we are always trying to give the orangutans the best care that we can. Pay close attention the next time you visit the Zoo – you may see some fun, new interactions occurring between individuals that you have not observed before!
Lynn Y.
Orangutan Care Team Lead Keeper
