YANGON: The Yangon Zoo has announced the arrival of a pair of Bornean Orangutans, which in Malay means "big jungle men", at the Yangon Zoo.
The newly arrived orangutans from Thailand — a male named Leo and a female named Pinky — belong to the ape family, a group known for its close genetic relationship to humans and remarkable intelligence.
The term “orangutan” originates from the Malay language and translates to “people of the forest.”
Bornean orangutans are listed as a critically endangered species, facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
The zoo stated that orangutans were last exhibited in Yangon zoo around 40 years ago, making the arrival of Leo and Pinky a significant moment for visitors and wildlife enthusiasts.
Native to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in South-East Asia, orangutans typically live high in rainforest trees, where they build nests and move between branches using their long, powerful arms.
They are also recognised for their advanced problem-solving abilities and their capacity to use tools. - Eleven Media/ANN
