The cushy, but sturdy, surface that you stand on to view the apes is made from recycled tires.
The apes lived in off-exhibit areas for over seven months while their new home was built.
Karen the orangutan became famous when she needed open-heart surgery in 1994. She pulled through just fine!
The Zoo's most famous orangutan was Ken Allen (1971–2000), known for his many escapes in the early 1980s. He became a San Diego folk hero, with his own fan club and T-shirts, bumper stickers, and songs created in his honor.
Ape keepers thought the much smaller siamangs might have trouble fitting in with the larger orangutans, but the siamangs have proved both assertive and playful with the orange apes.
While siamangs don't use tools as a rule, they have learned some tool-using techniques from their exhibit mates.
