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Orangutan’s frolic drives visitors from Melbourne Zoo

It wasn't the first time Malu has flown the coop.

It wasn't the first time Malu has flown the coop. Photo: Getty

Melbourne Zoo’s adventurous orangutan Malu has made another daring bid for freedom, briefly escaping his enclosure and sending the zoo into lockdown.

The 15-year-old Sumatran orangutan got also out of his enclosure in 2015, forcing the evacuation of zoo visitors.

Melbourne Zoo thanked visitors for remaining calm as staff worked to shepherd the great ape back into his exhibit.

‘Brief adventure’

“Thank you to the visitors at Melbourne Zoo this afternoon for being so calm and listening to our staff and following our instructions after Malu the Orang-utan briefly got out of his exhibit,” the zoo said in a statement.

“While his adventure was only brief, we would like to thank our incredible keeper team who were able to quickly get him to move into the Orang-utan Sanctuary viewing area in accordance with our training practices.”

The zoo said Malu was now safely back in his enclosure.

The zoo’s night-time light projection show, Neon Playground, continued as usual.

In the wild, Sumatran orangutans are under great threat, according to the zoo.

They are classed as critically endangered, with fewer than 3,500 in the wild.

Melbourne Zoo said the animals’ rainforest habitat is being destroyed to make way for logging and palm oil plantations, and they are also hunted for the pet trade and for meat.

The zoo said breeding programs in captivity help ensure the species doesn’t disappear.

-ABC

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