Take the orangutans to the island to detox

Zoo staff in Indonesia were forced to relocate to a 15-year-old orangutan after finding out that its smoking habit had become very serious.

Tori (the name of the orangutan) practiced smoking 10 years ago after observing visitors and practicing on cigarette butts they threw. Over time, it has become 'addicted' ever since. Whenever she wants to smoke, the 'girl' signs by putting two fingers in her mouth and will show anger, throwing things away if not being met.

Taru Jurug zookeepers in Solo City, central Indonesia have not succeeded in 'addicting' it to food and have also failed to use water to extinguish cigarette butts.

Tori and the smoking screen are very skilled.(Photo: COP)

Given this situation, with help from the Borneo Orang Utan Conservation Organization (COP), the plan to move Tori and its 'partner' to a small island in August has been approved. They hope that the natural environment will help Tori forget that bad habit. At the same time, the number of volunteers will also be strengthened in zoos to prevent the unconsciousness of many visitors.

Tori may be Indonesia's most famous cigarette addict orangutan but it is not the only case. Considered a smart animal with a genome that resembles humans to 97%, they are quite quick to mimic all of our behaviors.

'This is very common in Indonesian zoos. Visitors often throw cigarette butts into the captive area, watch them release smoke and start laughing or taking pictures' , COP representative - Hardi Baktiantoro - said. In addition, Baktiantoro expressed concern that nearly 70% of Indonesian men over 20 years old smoke and control will inevitably face many difficulties.

This is not the first time Indonesian authorities have voiced warnings about the serious consequences of people's unconsciousness. A study two years ago at Surabaya Zoo in East Java once gave a startling number: about 25 animals die out of 4000 per month, including a Sumatra tiger and a monk. Rare African element.

And yet, in March, a 30-year-old giraffe was also found dead with lots of plastic balls in the stomach - the result after years of eating trash that travelers throw into the barn.

Reference: Guardian