Feb 24, 2021
The Toronto Zoo participated in a long-term study to observe
when their young Sumatran orangutans would lose their baby teeth.
The data collection was part of a larger study across many zoos in
North America to provide more information surrounding the age range
at which the primates lose their teeth. The purpose of the study
was to help scientists better protect orangutans in the wild. By
getting this data from zoo populations, it helps researchers better
understand and rehabilitate wild orangutans who do not have known
birth dates.
Amanda Carroll, Zookeeper at the Toronto Zoo, sits down with me to
discuss the study and how behavioural husbandry played an important
role in collecting the data.