The orangutans of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium have it all – brains, beauty (just look at those gorgeous long auburn locks), and legions of adoring fans. As a highly intelligent species, they are expert communicators. Countless studies have shown they can understand abstract concepts and it is imperative to provide them with a habitat and enrichment that evokes their natural behaviors.
Come Spring 2024, Omaha Zoo’s orangutans will have just that! This landmark new and improved exhibit upgrade mimics their natural habitat, enhances the workspace for Zoo staff to care for them, sheds light on the conservation issues that impact their species survival, and provides more opportunities for them to interact with Zoo visitors. And this is all possible through the support of donors in our community. CL & Rachel Werner were among the first to jump on board to support the orangutans.
Improving on What’s There
When Hubbard Orangutan Forest opened in 2005, it was designed as a model of efficiency for orangutan care and considered “the best view in the Zoo.” While Zoo staff have continued to uphold the highest standards of care throughout the years since then, the exhibit’s minimalist aesthetic did not offer the immersive experience that the Zoo has gone to such great lengths to provide its animals and guests.
“It said “old Zoo” more than any other place on grounds,” said Tina Cherica, president and CEO of the Omaha Zoo Foundation. Cherica added that orangutans have always been an important part of the Zoo’s history, having been a favorite attraction since the 1960s, but with all three known species of the great ape on the critically endangered list, it’s more important than ever that the public have better opportunities to engage with them and learn about what we can do to protect them.
When the Orangutan Forest temporarily closed in 2020 (to aid the renovation Gorilla Valley), Zoo leaders approached CL and Rachel Werner about a plan to create such opportunities. The total project would have a pricetag of $21 million to reimagine the orangutan’s space. The Hubbard family had already pledged to this project, but finding donors who have the same passion was important in finishing the fundraising. “What’s been wonderful about working with the Werner Foundation is they understand taking something that exists and restoring it to make it better, rather than just building something new,” said Cherica, adding that CL Werner is close friends with Doc (Dr. Lee G. Simmons, director emeritus of Omaha’s Zoo and chairman emeritus of the Omaha Zoo Foundation), and they share a similar philosophy about being good stewards of what already exists. “We have all these new things at the Zoo, but now it’s time to focus our attention and effort on elevating things that are aging.”
An Engaging Environment
The result is completely transformative… and transportive as orangutans and humans alike will feel as if they’re actually in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. Modeled after temples and ruins found in the islands of Southeast Asia, the building will feature reproductions of native trees for climbing, nesting and brachiating as well as a waterfall, a staggered rocky hillside for demonstrating their impressive climbing skills and plenty of room to engage in natural behaviors. The entire habitat has been reimagined to be one of the best exhibits in North America for orangutans, gibbons and siamangs (who will have their own outdoor space).
For visitors, there will be plenty of changes to interact with the animals, including a tree nesting canopy with acrylic dividers so that orangutans can nest on one side and children can perch on the other, digital screens that are half within the enclosure and half outside for potential human-orangutan game interaction, and floor-to-ceiling viewing windows.
Lasting, Orangu-Tangible Impact
Visitors will also be able to learn about some of the things that are causing habitat destruction for the world’s orangutans, including deforestation due to logging, mining and palm oil plantations. They’ll be able to take conservation pledges, complete with a photo that will remain on display until the next person takes their pledge.
It is Omaha Zoo’s hope that, by providing these direct experiences with orangutans and highlighting the threats they face, they will encourage people to engage with these fascinating animals and take action to protect them and their natural habitat. The new space will also enhance the quality of life for the animals within the Zoo’s care and provide a state-of-the-art home for any future orangutan babies that join the Zoo’s collection.
CL and Rachel Werner are proud to be part of a project that will have such a lasting, tangible impact on helping to protect the world’s wildlife.
This will truly be a forest for all of us — humans and orangutans. A place where orangutans can live and play in an environment that helps them flourish. And a one-of-a-kind opportunity for millions of Zoo visitors to experience and understand the vital connection we share with these remarkably intelligent, but endangered, creatures. We are almost to our financial goal that will allow us to complete construction of this amazing upgrade. We hope you’ll help us — and our orangutans — get there. Thank you for generous support.