Orangutan Tries to Give Zoo Handlers the Slip, Again

An orangutan that had escaped from a display enclosure at the San Diego Zoo earlier this month wasted no time giving handlers the slip again--the fifth time in a little more than a year. The 11-year-old, 100-pound female named Kumang was released Saturday into the exhibit for the first time since its Nov. 7 escape, but by 9:25 a.m. she had gotten out, zoo spokeswoman Georgeanne Irvine said.

The orangutan made its way atop an aviary as visitors who had entered the zoo since the 9 a.m. opening were cleared from the area.

When Kumang came down to a low level, zoo workers hit her with a tranquilizer dart and ended her bid for freedom at 10:15 a.m., Irvine said.

Unharmed by the tranquilizer, Kumang was returned to the orangutan sleeping area, which is separate from the display enclosure.

“I’m afraid she’s going to have to stay there till we figure out our next step,” Irvine said. “She’s quite a clever orangutan.”

Kumang first escaped in August, 1987, using a mop handle left in the enclosure and has gotten free twice since June.