Woodland Park Zoo Press Release

WHAT: Turning 40 is a milestone for humans…and for non-human animals too! Join Woodland Park Zoo at a birthday party for its twin orangutans turning the big 4-0. Towan (toe-WAHN) and Chinta (CHEEN-tuh), brother and sister, respectively, will open gift-wrapped presents with their favorite treats and indulge in special “orangutan” birthday cupcakes. All five of the zoo’s orangutans will join in the celebration.

Birthday festivities include: complimentary cupcakes for visitors (while supplies last), an opportunity to meet the keepers and hear about the day-to-day quality care provided for the great apes, a photo collage of the twins, an orangutan discovery box with fascinating facts and items, and a free raffle for a commemorative art piece hand painted by orangutan Towan. The birthday party is free with zoo admission.

Born at Woodland Park Zoo in February 1968, the twin orangutans gained instant national celebrity status as the first-known twin orangutans born in a zoo. Photos of the pair in diapers appeared around the globe, including “Life” magazine. While other twins have since been born, twin orangutan births are still a rare occurrence.

WHEN: Saturday, February 23, 2008, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Woodland Park Zoo’s Orangutan Forest in Trail of Vines. Enter through the South Entrance at N. 50 th St. & Fremont Ave. N. or West Entrance at N. 55 th St. & Phinney Ave. N. Cupcakes for visitors will be served at the Orangutan Research Station near the interior exhibit.

INFO: In addition to Towan and Chinta, members of the zoo’s orangutan group include: 37-year-old Melati; 27-year-old Belawan, daughter of Towan and Melati; and 19-year-old Heran, son of Towan and Melati.

Orangutans, a highly endangered species, belong to the family Pongidae, which includes all three great apes: gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans. Distinct subspecies of orangutans live on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Their habitat consists of lower and middle canopy levels of mature lowland tropical rain forests and lower densities in mountainous areas. Overpopulation, logging, agriculture, and other human activities are rapidly destroying forest environments required by orangutans for survival.

Winter hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily. For admission fees and more information, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting international standards for zoos all over the world. Conservation, education and excellent animal care are at the core of the zoo’s mission. The zoo is helping to save animals and their habitats in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring people to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.