From Monkey Business to Baby Love (zoos teach love :-)

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-orangutan28mar28.story

CALIFORNIA
From Monkey Business to Baby Love
By Carla Hall
Times Staff Writer

March 28, 2005

Their courtship had an awkward start. She was aloof. He was frustrated. He lunged at her. She backed away. But even in wildlife, there are second chances. A few weeks later, she threw herself at him. He touched her gently.

In the confines of a private outdoor enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo, Minyak and Kalim became the dream couple — two pure Bornean orangutans. They were spotted one day caressing and grooming each other for hours.

"It was a pure love fest," said animal keeper Megan Fox.

For a week last June, they mated every day.

Their coupling would produce one of the zoo's new spring additions and offer testament to the physical prowess of the once sickly and depressed male, Min- yak, and the nurturing skills of the unproven Kalim, the female. Long before the birth, zookeepers had to play the roles of matchmaker, therapist and trainer.<SNIP>