In brief: Jersey Zoo has applied to expand its orangutan and gibbon facilities with two new metal-framed enclosures connected to the existing building by tunnels. The plans would provide more space and greater flexibility for the care of the zoo’s critically endangered Sumatran orangutans. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which runs the zoo, is already involved in captive breeding and conservation work in Indonesia.
What Is Being Planned?
Jersey Zoo has submitted a planning application to add two new metal-framed enclosures to its existing orangutan and gibbon facilities. According to the BBC, the zoo says the new structures would be linked to the current building by tunnels, providing what the application describes as “much needed additional animal spaces”, as well as greater flexibility for training and transferring animals between areas.
The zoo currently houses four Sumatran orangutans, named Dagu, Dana, Jiwa and Jantho, alongside two gibbons: Hazel, a white-handed gibbon, and Genta, a male northern white-cheeked gibbon. The expansion would benefit all of these residents, giving keepers more options when it comes to managing the animals day to day.
Why It Matters: Conservation at the Core
This is not simply a question of creature comforts, though those matter too. The Sumatran orangutan is classified as critically endangered, and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is actively involved in a captive breeding project for the species, as well as supporting conservation projects in Indonesia. Better facilities at Jersey Zoo directly support that broader mission.
Durrell has long positioned itself as more than a visitor attraction. Its work on behalf of species teetering on the edge of extinction is internationally recognised, and the zoo’s track record in Jersey speaks for itself. The gorilla enclosure, which the BBC has previously reported was hailed as a success following an eight million pound investment, is one example of what thoughtful facility development can achieve for both animals and the public.
The proposed tunnels connecting the new enclosures to the existing building are a particularly practical touch. They allow animals to move between spaces without exposure to the elements or unnecessary stress, which is important for the welfare of animals as sensitive and intelligent as orangutans and gibbons.
A Zoo With Form
Jersey Zoo has demonstrated in recent years that it knows how to make the most of investment in its facilities. A tortoise sculpture auction raised 720,000 pounds for the zoo, and the gorilla habitat upgrade drew widespread praise. The orangutan expansion, if approved, would continue that trajectory.
For islanders, the zoo remains one of Jersey’s most distinctive institutions, attracting visitors from across the world while quietly getting on with the serious business of trying to prevent species from disappearing altogether. The Sumatran orangutan, found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, faces severe pressure from habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. Every healthy birth in a well-managed captive programme contributes, in a small but meaningful way, to the species’ survival.
Source: BBC News
