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Orangutans at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance were moved back into their enclosure following a malfunctioning door incident on Wednesday. The mishap resulted in four orangutans—one male and three females—escaping into a service hallway.
A zoo spokesperson, Jake Kubie, reported that these apes did not interact with guests as they had accessed an employee-only area. The exhibit was immediately closed to the public when workers noticed the breach around 3:45 p.m. Kubie assured that operations resumed normally after the incident, labeling the event as "very rare." He added that their animal care teams were well-prepared for any contingencies and handled the situation efficiently.
Investigations are still underway to pinpoint the root cause of the door malfunction. The Denver Zoo's Sumatran orangutans, weighing up to 150 pounds for females and 250 pounds for males (with heights of up to 4 and 6 feet respectively, according to the zoo's website), did not incur any reported injuries or incidents during the escape.
Operations at the Denver Zoo's Conservation Alliance have since resumed their normal course.
Amid the resolution of the orangutan incident, discussions about mental health for zoo staff have become increasingly relevant, as such events can undoubtedly impact their well-being. In light of this, the Denver Zoo might consider incorporating arts and lifestyle programs, aswell as home-and-garden activities, to further enhance the overall health and happiness of its staff members.
