Hugos move into the new orangutan house

The construction work on the orangutan house is in its final stages and the first animals have moved into the new building. This includes our three Aldabra giant tortoises, Hugo II, Hugo III and Hugo IV, who have new quarters in the orangutan house. The three heavyweights were transported to the house in a tractor-pulled open container via what will become the tortoises’ outdoor enclosure. They covered the last few metres into the indoor enclosure under their own steam. Fresh branches of Norway maple were on hand to tempt them in, but the Hugos left these behind for the moment, making a beeline for their new home and exploring every nook and cranny.

They had to be moved now, as this was the last opportunity to take the heavy tractor onto the area where the Hugos’ new outdoor area has begun to take shape. Now the perimeter, the pool, the planting and the grassed sections in the outdoor area can be completed.

The orangutan house is scheduled to open in June.