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Fri, Feb 15, 2008
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Chomel the Orangutan

Name: Chomel

Species: Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii)

Where it's found: Forests of Sumatra, Indonesia

Life expectancy: 40 - 50 years

Date of birth: 21 November 1996

Diet: Vegetables, milk and assorted fruits - Mango is Chomel's favourite fruit.

Star appeal: Chomel is Ah Meng's fifth grandchild, born to Pusung and Hong Bao. Her father Pusung was loaned to the Adelaide Zoo in October 2000, while mother Hong Bao died in 2004.

Like her late grandmother, Chomel's good-natured disposition makes her more tolerant of the antics of the younger orangutans. Chomel keeps active by enjoying enrichment and treats provided by the keepers - with whom she has established a bond - and spends a lot of time exploring her habitat.

The 12-year-old is one of the rare Sumatran orangutans in the zoo's collection, which is a species listed as 'Critically Endangered' by the World Conservation Union. There are only about 7,000 of these animals still in the wild.

 
 

 
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