Clyde the Orangutan Comes Out
Posted at 9:39 am June 26, 2006 by Yvette KempYvette is writing a series of blogs about each orangutan at the San Diego Zoo. Her previous blog is titled Karen: Will She or Won't She?
Every morning the orangutans participate in some form of morning training sessions or exercises on their way to the Absolutely Apes exhibit. So far, all the orangutans except the big male, Clyde, have gone through. It is almost 9 a.m. and the siamangs have not started to sing yet. If they start singing with Clyde still inside, he bangs his bedroom door as if telling the neighbors to turn it down. If they start singing while he's heading to the chute, he moves slowly and looks towards their bedroom when he arrives at the end of the hall. Once in the chute, he won't let me close the door. He just wants to go out. Those days, I let him out quickly, along with anyone else who may still be inside. But today the siamangs are sitting quietly, so it will be a relaxing training session.
Some days the veterinarians need to check on animals while they are still in their bedrooms. Clyde thinks they must want to look at him. If he's not in the mood for visitors, he will put a box or barrel over his head and sit like that until it is time to go out. Once it's his turn, he moves quickly to the door, sometimes grabbing a burlap bag that he has been carrying around for the last several days, and heads down the hall. In the chute, Clyde is a perfect participant. If he is feeling relaxed, he doesn't mind if I close the chute door and he presents every part of his body that I ask for. But if anyone other than me has been in the bedrooms, he thinks there might be a medical procedure coming and looks over his shoulder frequently. On those days he won't let me close the chute door. Since he needs to know that not everything that happens is about him, I try to get him used to other people around. Regardless, Clyde is very obliging when it comes to training sessions.
Clyde knows all the behaviors. Since he is so big, weighing in at over 280 pounds (127 kilograms), he fills up the chute. The rings the other orangutans use to station are set too close for him, so he holds onto the bars further out. When asked to turn around, he whips around so quickly he is a blur of flying hair.
No matter what is going on, be it other people present, siamangs singing, or receiving an injection, Clyde always comes back to finish the training session. On the days the siamangs are singing, Clyde keeps peeking at their bedroom, momentarily leaving the chute. But he returns and presents whatever had been asked for. On days of medical procedures when Clyde needs to be sedated, we ask him for his shoulder, and then inject his arm. He becomes upset and turns around, but then will present his shoulder again so we can show him the syringe and give him a pat. He's a very good boy.
Clyde has completed his session, is rewarded, and released onto the exhibit to join the rest of the group. I'll go up top to check everyone and get away from the siamangs. They've started singing. None of the orangutans like being inside, let alone working in the chute, when the siamangs are singing. Neither do I. The sound is deafening and tends to go on for 15 minutes. I'll have to tell you about them next time.
Yvette Kemp is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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June 26th, 2006 at 10:38 am
it is so funny to read your descriptions of the orangutans. they are like small children: who's 1st ,who doesn't like this or that. i watched a great show on pbs, our local public tv station, about a male orangutan named kusasi. it followed his life from being taken by poachers and rescued to becoming an adult. His attitude towards humans to his gentleness to infants was amazing. I thank you for all your hard work with these great and intelligent creatures.
June 26th, 2006 at 10:52 am
What a priceless picture of Clyde. Yvette, I know we've said it before, but your writing skills are incredible. I swear I'm standing right next to you while Clyde goes thru his routine. You bring these animals right to us - even here in cyber space. I just wish I didn't live on the other side of the country. What I wouldn't give to see little Su and her mommy and daddy, these beautiful orangs, the new lion cubs - just the whole zoo and wild animal park. But I guess these great blogs will just have to do for now. Give Clyde a big " high 5" for me tomorrow when he goes out. And thanks again Yvette for the laughs and giggles.
June 26th, 2006 at 11:10 am
These accounts are classic. They could be put in a book and sold. I laugh out loud every time I read one. Thanks for the informative, entertaining stories, Yvette.
June 26th, 2006 at 11:18 am
Thank you so much Yvette! I loved hearing about the orangutans, especially Clyde's adorable behavior such as putting a box over his head when he thinks he has to have a check-up. I hope we can hear about the siamangs soon! Also, when will there be another new baby orangutan? Isn't Cinta about two years old? I think that's how long they stay with their mothers.
June 26th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
Your stories have been fantastic! Not only do I have stronger appreciation for the orangs in general, but I now have a greater understanding and respect for each one as an individual. After reading your story about Clyde, I went to the Absolutely Apes page and noticed that Clyde turns 30 on August 23rd!! Will he have a big birthday bash??
June 26th, 2006 at 3:42 pm
You know, there are days when I don't feel like visitors either. I wish I could just sit in my office, with a bucket over my head, and wait until it was time to go home!! Way to go Clyde - I know how you feel buddy.
Thanks again Yvette for another great blog - they are so charming and informative - great job. I'm looking forward to hearing all about the siamangs.
June 27th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Yvette , how long does the average orangutan live in captivity? Does it differ between male and female? And to cheryl #6, I know how you feel about putting a bucket over your head, but it's time for me to go home.
June 27th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
I'm glad you enjoy the blogs…I have a great time writing them. The orangs give me a lot of things to write about.
Some answers to questions:
Babies live with their mothers for 7 to 8 years, during which time mom does not have another baby, so most likely there won't be another baby orangutan for quite awhile.
Cinta just turned 2 on March 5.
We'll see what happens for Clyde's 30th birthday. It's on our calendar.
Orangutans can live 50 to 60 years in captivity. They have a better health plan and monitored diet in captivity (we have nutritionists that determine diets for all the animals at the Zoo).