Tama Zoo celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 5th of this year (2008). It also marks the 50th anniversary of "Gypsy," Bornean Orangutan grandmother who arrived at the park on July 19th of the year it opened (1958).

We will be holding a celebration for Gypsy's 50th anniversary at the zoo on Saturday, July 19th, 2008. The event will take place from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM. Please gather at the orangutan enclosure in Asian Zone. After a talk by animal keeper, Gypsy will be presented with her favorite fruits and other treats.

Gypsy was estimated to be three years old when she arrived at the zoo. Because there were no proper facilities to keep her, she spent her nights in the veterinary room and her days wandering around the zoo, hence the name Gypsy. In 1960, she married a male named Don Jose who arrived at the zoo, and in 1965, she gave birth to Julie (female), the second gypsy in Japan.

Currently, Gypsy is living happily with her eldest daughter Julie (female, 43 years old), her third daughter Chappy (female, 35 years old), Chappy's offspring Poppy (male, 8 years old) and Minpy (female, 1 year and 7 months old), as well as other animals that came from other zoos.

Photo above: Gypsy when she was little
Photo below: A modern-day Gypsy. Intrigued by everything.

◎See the unique behavior of the Gypsies in Tokyo Zoo Net BB's videos.

·movie" Orangutan playing the harmonica” (April 2004)

·movie" Orangutan gardening” (2004)

·movie" Orangutan takes his own medicine” (June 2007)

(July 17, 2008)