*********************************************************
It was a memorable day for the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on July 8 last year, when a pigeon pair of Bornean orangutan twins were born, joining the rest of the big orangutan family in the gardens. It was the first-ever successful breeding of Bornean orangutan twins in Hong Kong.
Well taken care of by the veterinarian and working staff of the HKZBG since birth, the twins are now seven months old. Members of the public are welcome to visit the lovely pair starting from tomorrow (February 10).
The male baby, Wan Wan, weighed about two kilogrammes at birth while the female, Wah Wah, was about 1.4 kilogrammes. They are now five kilogrammes and four kilogrammes respectively.
In view of the twins' young age and with regard to their living pattern and growth needs, the HKZBG has arranged two one-hour visit sessions per day for the public to meet the twins through a viewing window of the activity room at the HKZBG Education and Exhibition Centre, Albany Road, Central.
The visit sessions run from 10 to 11am and 2 to 3pm daily from tomorrow. Visitors should remain silent during the tour and refrain from tapping on the window of the activity room or using flashlights. They should also follow the instructions of staff at the scene.
Meanwhile, the HKZBG will also arrange outdoor learning activities for primary schools to introduce Bornean orangutans to students. The activities aim to enhance public knowledge and respect of endangered species, especially among the younger generation.
The twins' father, Vandu, was born in Belgium while their mother, Raba, is an "aborigine" of the HKZBG and was born in the gardens. Though coming from different origins, they successfully mated and gave birth to newborns in the environment of the gardens.
The Bornean orangutan is arboreal and diurnal. They swing and move from branch to branch using their powerful hands and rarely leave the trees for the ground. They sleep at night in large nests built of broken branches and foliage. Fruit, leaves, bark and birds' eggs are their favourite food.
Ends/Thursday, February 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:46
NNNN
