Chester Zoo, North England

Chester Zoo orangutan mother and baby

I visited this Zoo in May 2009 and was really impressed!

Unfortunately, I cannot find out the names of the orangutans there at the moment, but there are quite a few and the enclosure is huge (both inside and out) - a real show piece for the Zoo and it is interesting to note that the information there on orangutans and conservation for them is really good, since they run conservation projects with other charities. The rest of the Zoo is lovely too, with everything spaced out with pleasant greenery and paths and bridges to get everywhere – you can even take a boat trip or the monorail!

Chester Zoo orangutan

Chester Zoo orangutan enclosure

One of the females came up close to the window, and she looked really well, and all the others, plus many cute babies looked really content. It is well worth a trip and Chester is a lovely place for a weekend break, with restaurants & shops galore.

See info here about the Sumatran Orangutans – http://www.chesterzoo.org/AnimalsandPlants/Mammals/MonkeysandApes/Sumatran%20Orang-utan.aspx

See info here about the Bornean Orangutans -
http://www.chesterzoo.org/AnimalsandPlants/Mammals/MonkeysandApes/Bornean%20Orang-utan.aspx

There is a new baby at this Zoo, born in February 2009! See here: http://www.chesterzoo.org/Home/News/February%202009/Orang-utan%20birth.aspx