Toronto, Canada - August 29, 2024

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In an unexpected turn of events at the Toronto Zoo, Kembali, a male orangutan, managed to escape his newly designed outdoor habitat, leading to a swift response from zoo staff and local authorities. The incident, which occurred earlier this evening, was resolved without any harm to the animal, zoo guests, or staff.

According to a statement released by the Toronto Zoo, the escape was first noticed by a zoo volunteer who promptly alerted the health and safety team. Kembali had accessed an area just outside his habitat, showcasing the orangutan's intelligence and agility. The zoo, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), regularly conducts drills for such scenarios, which paid off as the response was immediate and effective.

Guests were quickly evacuated from the vicinity, and Kembali was safely returned to his habitat without incident. As a precaution, Toronto Police Services were called to the scene, remaining on standby in case further assistance was needed.

The zoo has since closed the outdoor orangutan habitat to visitors and media as they conduct a thorough investigation into how Kembali managed his brief escape. Preliminary findings from video footage and guest contributions indicate that Kembali used a combination of swinging and climbing skills to navigate from a tower in his habitat, bypassing the secondary barrier meant to contain him.

The zoo is now in consultation with international wildlife habitat experts to assess and modify the orangutan's outdoor environment to prevent future escapes. This incident has sparked a conversation about the challenges of designing habitats that cater to the natural behaviors of intelligent species like orangutans while ensuring their safety and that of the public.