Orangutan Rusti To Remain At Honolulu Zoo
POSTED: 8:55 am HST August 12, 2004
UPDATED: 9:47 am HST August 12, 2004
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HONOLULU -- Rusti the orangutan is staying at the Honolulu Zoo thanks to an agreement between the city and the Orangutan Foundation, which owns Rusti.
The Honolulu City Council is concerned about liability, cost to taxpayers, zoo accreditation and the city's control over Rusti's care."The animal management practices are not a concern any longer. We would be managing him just as we would any other animal in our zoo population," Honolulu Zoo Director Ken Redman said.The foundation has agreed to pick up the tab for his food and care and to provide $300,000 to build a new 4,000-square-foot enclosure.Part of the money will come directly from the foundation. About $100,000 will come from an anonymous group."The foundation is also willing to provide a caretaker and for food as long as he is living at our zoo," Orangutan Foundation attorney Jon Van Dyke said.The hope is that Rusti will be in his new home at the zoo within six months.
The Honolulu City Council is concerned about liability, cost to taxpayers, zoo accreditation and the city's control over Rusti's care."The animal management practices are not a concern any longer. We would be managing him just as we would any other animal in our zoo population," Honolulu Zoo Director Ken Redman said.The foundation has agreed to pick up the tab for his food and care and to provide $300,000 to build a new 4,000-square-foot enclosure.Part of the money will come directly from the foundation. About $100,000 will come from an anonymous group."The foundation is also willing to provide a caretaker and for food as long as he is living at our zoo," Orangutan Foundation attorney Jon Van Dyke said.The hope is that Rusti will be in his new home at the zoo within six months. Previous Stories:
- February 13, 2004: Orangutan To Stay At Honolulu Zoo
- July 18, 2003: City Says No To Moving Orangutan Rusti
- May 28, 2003: Attorney General Investigates Orangutan Foundation
- April 23, 2003: Permits Tie Up Orangutan's Move To Kualoa Ranch
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