Orangutan short circuited electrical wires in an escape attempt

"AN “ingenious” 62 kilogram orangutan short circuited electrical wires and climbed a fence using a makeshift ladder in an aborted escape attempt from Adelaide Zoo today.

The elaborate plot by 27-year-old Karta got her to within metres of the public, and resulted in the closure of the zoo on one of its busiest days of the year.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public about 11am.

Zoo curator Peter Whitehead said Karta had twisted a stick into hot wires that encircled her enclosure, short circuiting the wires and allowing her to enter a vegetated area near the concrete and glass fence that separated her from the public.

She then piled up sticks, grass and plant roots and used them to climb onto the fence."

Full story from www.news.com.au

New rare orangutan find in Borneo

A hitherto unknown population of orangutans numbering perhaps 1-2,000 has been found on the island of Borneo, conservation researchers say.

Members of the reclusive endangered species were found by scientists acting on tip-offs from local people.

Much of the orangutan's tropical forest habitat in Indonesia and Malaysia has been cut down for timber extraction and to create palm oil plantations.

About 50,000 orangutans are thought to remain in the wild.

"The reclusive red-haired primates were found in a rugged, largely inaccessible mountainous region," Erik Meijaard, of Nature Conservancy Indonesia, said.

The journey to the region took 10 hours by car, another five by boat and then a couple more hours hiking.

The team found more than 200 nests crammed into just a few kilometres and spotted three wild orangutans in the canopy above them - a mother and her baby, and a large male who broke off branches to throw at them.

It is even possible, the researchers say, that this could be a kind of orangutan refugee camp - with several groups moving into the same area following widespread forest fires.

The team of scientists is now working with local groups to try to protect the area.

Story from BBC NEWS

Published: 2009/04/12 16:31:54 GMT

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Sabah (North Borneo) Famous Sites

Below is a list of famous sites you can find in Sabah (North Borneo). Offering the world's oldest rainforests, white beaches, unique flora & fauna. Experience it's magnificent beauty from every angle.

• Mt. Kinabalu 'World Heritage'
• Crocker Range National Park
• Tip of Borneo (Simpang Mengayau)
• Danum Valley
• Tabin Wildlife Reserve
• Maliau Basin 'The Lost World'
• Gomantong Cave
• Kiulu White Water Rafting
• Layang Layang Sea Birds Island
• Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary
• Sukau Proboscis Monkeys
• Sipadan Diving Island
• Langkayan Island
• Pulau Tiga Park
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
• Selingan Turtle Island
• Likas Wetlands
• Kinabatangan Crocodile