Orangutan Awareness Weekend November 12, 2011

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12th & 13th

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Come to Zoo Miami and check out the best-looking redheads in town! Zoological Society of Florida volunteers and docents will be hosting Orangutan Awareness Weekend with tables full of educational displays, biofacts, fun interactive games, and free temporary tattoos.
Be sure to come out for the Keeper Talks at 11:30 a.m. each day where you can learn all about our resident orangutans - Bonnie and Mango.

Here are a few orangutan facts:

• Orangutans are highly endangered and are on the brink of extinction; they may be the first great ape to go extinct.

• Habitat loss due to rainforest destruction, illegal logging, palm oil plantations, and an illegal pet trade are pushing them toward extinction

• Orangutans share 97% of our DNA and are highly intelligent

It's all about orangutans - but so much more.

• Rainforests play a vital role in the health of our planet. When forests are logged and burned, large amounts of greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere contributing to the climate change crisis.

• Saving orangutans helps to save many other endangered species that live in the same forest, like tigers, rhinos, gibbons, sun bears, clouded leopards, and countless other species of plants and animals.

• Indonesia is also home to many indigenous tribes with diverse cultures and traditions that are now threatened with losing their rainforest homes.

Come out and learn all about these beautiful red-haired apes and what you can do to help save them and their rainforest homes.

Event is free with zoo admission.