The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

[Carrie McLaren <carrie AT stayfreemagazine.org>]

Some "Monkey Business" at the Zoo This Morning

http://www.wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=9971&r=l
(WROC-TV)

A volunteer at the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester this morning went 
through some nervous moments, when he became an accidental friend of 
a 300 pound orangutan.

Around ten o'clock volunteer Paul Louis was bringing food to Lowell 
the orangutan.

But when Louis turned around, Lowell was out of his cage and wrapped 
around his legs. Lowell was making motions hinting he wanted to go 
for a walk.

The volunteer tried walking with the orangutan, but he had to wait 
for help. A vet was able to tranqualize Lowell and the orangutan is 
undergoing evaluation.

"We do have a number of safety procedures that we have in place, 
(and) a number of drills that we do to practice these kinds of things 
in the event that there is something like that.  All of those 
mechanisms worked like they're supposed to", said zoo director Larry 
Sorel.

Lowell, 18,  has been at the Seneca Park Zoo for about two years.