Amazing new Orangutan Exhibit at the Indianapolis Zoo

This new Orangutan Exhibit opened at the Indianapolis Zoo on Memorial Weekend this year.

In this picture, the near tower is clear so you can see the Orangutan climb up to the top.  There is an opening in the top that he can climb out onto a platform.  Each tower is connected to the other by ropes. 

The Orangs can go from tower to tower on the ropes way above the crowds below.  The glass tower, and one tower on the other end are the only ones the Orangs can go down.  All the towers, except the two end ones, are out in the crowd around the zoo, not in any enclosure.  Of course, if the Orange falls it would be killed.  But, in the wild they spend their entire lives in trees high above the ground.

 

The bottom platform of each pole has electric wires to keep them from climbing down.  Only the two end poles that are enclosed can be used to exit the upper wires.  Pretty neat to see an Orangutan climbing on ropes right over your head.