When temperatures rise, animal care at Utah’s Hogle Zoo kicks into summer mode. From polar bears to porcupines, our care teams adapt routines to keep animals cool, comfortable, and thriving in warmer weather. 

Providing the best care means looking after animals from head to toe—or hoof. Caring for hooves might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering animal care at the zoo, but for many species, it’s an essential part of their health and wellbeing.

In the lush treetops of southeast Asia lives the orangutan, the largest arboreal mammal. Recognizable by their striking red fur, these highly intelligent great apes spend most of their lives high in the canopy, navigating branches with powerful arms and nimble, grasping hands and feet. Science now recognizes three distinct species of orangutans: two native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra and one found on the island of Borneo, in Indonesia and Malaysia. Orangutans are considered critically endangered and face one common threat: extinction. 

Orangutans are threatened by habitat loss and degradation, illegal hunting, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change. Forests where orangutans live are being destroyed to make way for single-crop plantations and are also damaged by fires, logging, and mining. This habitat loss is largely driven by the global demand for palm oil, a common ingredient in everyday items like packaged foods, soaps, and cosmetics. The collective impact of these threats has severe consequences for the future of orangutans and their forest homes. In Borneo, for example, the orangutan population has declined by an estimated 86% since 1973. 

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is dedicated to helping protect orangutans. As a proud supporter of the HUTAN Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Program—a French nonprofit working to help Bornean orangutans thrive in their evolving habitat—Hogle Zoo is   committed to making a difference both globally and locally.  

Lexi Yang, a Great Apes Senior Keeper at Hogle Zoo, knows firsthand how small actions can drive big change and encourages our community to take meaningful steps to support these incredible animals.

Utah’s Hogle Zoo has been home to half-sibling southern white rhinos George (male) since 1977 and Princess (female) in 1980. At 48 and 45 years old, George and Princess are some of the longest residents at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. They are considered geriatric members of their species and are nearly the oldest southern white rhinos at any Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) zoo. Our team works with AZA zoos across the rhinoceros species advisory group to learn the latest advances in geriatric veterinary care. 

Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, known as the “polar bear capital of the world,” sits on the western coast of Hudson Bay at the mouth of the Churchill River. Though its human population is fewer than 1,000 year-round residents, it draws hundreds of polar bears that come to hunt seals on the sea ice as winter sets in. 

This unique town is home to Polar Bears International (PBI), the world’s leading polar bear conservation organization. Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a proud partner of PBI and, as an Arctic Ambassador Centre, is committed to taking action at the institutional and community levels to help protect the Arctic tundra’s future. 

As part of this commitment, Hogle Zoo participates in Climate Alliance, a collaborative workshop for zoo and aquarium professionals hosted by PBI and the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation.

In 2022, Rocky Shores Senior Keeper Kimmy McIntyre traveled to Churchill to gain insights on polar bear conservation and share knowledge on Arctic protection. Returning in October 2024 as a field ambassador, Kimmy led tours to educate visitors on Arctic sea ice, polar bear adaptations, and the ongoing impact of climate change on the region. 

Hogle Zoo’s team is excited to welcome new residents to the Small Animal Building. Make sure to visit them during your next visit!  

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is home to four Bornean orangutans: Mia, Kawan, Acara, and Tuah. You can visit them in the Great Apes habitat, which has indoor and outdoor spaces.   

Bornean orangutans live in most of the lowland Borneo on the equator between northern Australia and Southeast Asia. They live in several types of palm trees, including Nipah palms, Rhizophora, and Bruguiera trees. These allow them to live in nests far above the ground. 

Orangutans are solitary by nature; groups generally include one adult female with one or two children. At Hogle Zoo, you will see the orangutans in pairs. Mia and Kawan were placed together as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). You can also see siblings Tuah and Acara together.