Great Ape Celebration set for Saturday at Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo will be hosting an event this Saturday, February 21, in honor of four very special residents. The Great Ape Senior Celebration is set to honor the 47th birthday of twin orangutans Towan and Chinta and gorillas Pete and Nina.

j

Towan, who is currently North America’s oldest male orangutan born in captivity, and his sister Chinta will be showered with gift-wrapped presents loaded with favorite treats, party streamers and a special “ape” cake. The gorillas will also receive some of their favorites.

The twin orangutans were born at Woodland Park Zoo back in February 1968 and instantly become well known as the first-known twin orangutans born in captivity. Check out the pair below when they were babies:

Orangutans-Towan-Chinta_horiz

On Saturday, visitors will have the chance to sign birthday wishes on giant cards for the animals, chat with keepers, learn facts about orangutans and gorillas from docents at discovery stations, and enter a free drawing for a commemorative art piece hand painted by Towan.

On the day of the event, any visitor who can show proof of sharing their birth year of 1968 with the great apes will receive free zoo admission. Simply present appropriate ID at any zoo ticket window. Click here to learn more about what’s in store for the celebrations.

Photos courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo.

Leave a Reply