Toronto Zoo Orangutan's Daring Escape Attempt From Outdoor Habitat Caught On Video By Surprised Guests

"Kembali was on one of the towers at the south end of the outdoor habitat when he swung in a cartwheel-like motion from the bottom rope to the platform. From there he was able to climb down the tower."

Chelsi

• Published in Animal Stories
• September 9, 2024

Kembali's daring attempt to escape Toronto Zoo has been foiled thanks to guests who witnessed the orangutan's impromptu acrobatic performance. Concerned visitors sent photos and videos of the dramatically casual dash to the zoo's administrators on August 29.

In the 4-second video, the primate cartwheeled from one of the ropes to reach a platform. Kembali then climbed down the tower using a steel bracket to access an area separate from his outdoor habitat.

The Toronto Zoo said in an official statement that they run drills to prepare for such situations. As a precaution, the police were called once a volunteer notified zoo officials about the events.

Police intervention was, fortunately, deemed unnecessary as the staff quickly apprehended Kembali and returned to his 13,000-square-foot outdoor habitat without incident. Zoo officials appealed to guests present during the 16-year-old orangutan's daring escape to send any photos or videos to their Health and Safety Services supervisor, Graham Birtles, to help figure out Kembali's escape route.

They had to temporarily close the outdoor orangutan habitat to ensure the safety of animals and guests while the investigation was ongoing. It is worth noting that the $11 million habitat was opened only last summer before Kembali figured out the proverbial weak link.

Zoo officials said they were consulting international experts to determine the proper modifications required before the outdoor habitat could reopen.

The followers of the Toronto Zoo's official X account couldn't help but make light of the extraordinary situation.

One noted how easily Kembali escaped the outdoor habitat only to be caught without much fanfare.

On the other hand, their Facebook followers expressed their relief that no staff, guests, or animals were harmed during the incident.

Kembali's great escape would help the zoo become safer for all guests and animals.

If experts could determine the proper modifications, Kembali wouldn't be able to escape his habitat the same way another time.

Their followers' concerns were palpable in their comments. They hoped the escape was a result of Kembali's ingenuity instead of a prankster's actions.

Another commenter said she had anticipated such an incident after she saw the high wire during a recent visit. She, like many others, questioned the safety of the open habitat for guests and animals alike.

The quick response time of zoo staff and volunteers should be credited for the uneventful outcome of Kembali's escape.

It seems the appeal of The Toronto Zoo management wasn't in vain because a guest present that day shared they had footage of the orangutan breaking out of the outdoor habitat.

The intelligence of primates can't be downplayed once the experts convene to figure out a better security measure for the orangutan's outdoor habitat.

You can watch a short clip of Kembali's cartwheel-like maneuvers below:

While the orangutan habitat is still closed to the public, the zoo has other animals ready for visitors! They might not be as infamous as the zoo's very own Houdini is at this moment, but they are just as worthy of attention and love from guests.

Chelsi