(Please see below for the link to the video.)

Gypsy, a female orangutan (estimated age 51), has started taking her medication on her own. We'll share the video with you.

This year, since the rainy season began, we've had hot days followed by suddenly cool days, and the weather has been unstable on many days, making it a time when orangutans are prone to getting sick.

Meanwhile, on June 15, 2007, our elderly Gypsy developed a slight fever and became lethargic. She also seemed to have no appetite. Worried that she might have a cold, we gave her antibiotics such as Tamiflu. She seemed to be recovering on June 22, but from June 24 onwards, she lost her appetite again and was often seen lying down, holding her chin. I hoped it wasn't a toothache, but hoping she would get better soon, I gave Gypsy several kinds of medicine in the morning and evening.

Gypsy doesn't have a very strong digestive system. So, I give him two packets of intestinal medicine twice a day, in the morning and evening. I cut open the packets and put them in his mouth, and Gypsy really likes this intestinal medicine.

Customers often ask me, "If you put medicine in an orangutan's mouth, do you give it water afterward?" and I answer, "It's different from humans."

Amidst all this, on the evening of June 27th, I accidentally dropped one packet of intestinal medicine into the cage. I couldn't retrieve it, so when I checked the next morning, I found that my cat had neatly torn open the bag and the contents were completely gone.

So, I tried giving each of the two packets of intestinal medicine to the gypsy, and she neatly tore open the packet on the spot and drank it in no time. She seemed to be enjoying it.

After that, Gypsy recovered her energy, but when it was time for her medicine, she started showing signs of wanting her intestinal medicine.

Please watch the video here ↓.
​Windows Media Player
​QuickTime

The gypsy would tear open the pouch of intestinal medicine with her hands or mouth. She would tap it against her palm to get the contents out, or open the pouch and lick it.

[Hidetoshi Kurotori, Animal Care and Exhibition Staff, South Tama Zoo]

(August 3, 2007)