(CN) Shanghai Zoo seeking mate for Orang Utan

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Wanted: Single female primate in Shanghai

 

March 11, 2008

 

A zoo in Shanghai is looking for a girlfriend for its 2-year-old male orangutan.

 

" She has to be about the same age, have lived in a group and possess mild

temper, " Yao Jianzhuang, a tamer in Shanghai Zoo who is taking care of the

2-year-old Qingqing, said.

 

A staff member at the zoo surnamed Pan said the zoo is searching for the mate

through its own network, without advertising.

 

" It's not going to be easy, " she said.

 

Orangutans are considered rare wild animals near extinction. There are only two

at the Shanghai Zoo, one of them is 27, while Qingqing is two.

 

" The huge difference in age and size makes it impossible for them to play

together, " Yao said.

 

" Qingqing is very lonely. "

 

Alone most of the time, Qingqing spends his days pushing boxes and swinging

on the hammock again and again, if not looking at people. " Brought up by

humans, Qingqing likes us and jumps on us with affection whenever he has a

chance, " he said.

 

" But we are trying to keep a certain distance from him, so he can mix with

his own kind better in the future. "

 

Yao said they have not found any abnormality in Qingqing caused by

loneliness.

 

" But orangutans tend to become crabby after being alone for a long time, " he

said.

 

" We are hoping to find a girlfriend for Qingqing, who can play with him and

then have children with him. "

 

*Source: China Daily*