Zoo Shares Adorable Photos Of Orangutans And Otters Playing Together

March 31, 2020

The Pairi Daiza Zoo in Belgium shared heartwarming photos of orangutans and otters playing together.

Credit: Pairi Daiza NL / @pairidaizanl

Instead of being in separate enclosures, the animals live together as part of a program designed to maintain the primates' wellbeing in captivity.

Credit: Pairi Daiza NL / @pairidaizanl

The orangutans "must be entertained, occupied, challenged and kept busy mentally, emotionally and physically at all times," says zoo spokesperson Mathieu Goedefroy.

Credit: Pairi Daiza NL / @pairidaizanl

The small-clawed otters live in the river that runs through the enclosure that houses the orangutan family which consists of 24-year-old father Ujian, 15-year-old mother Sari and Berani, and their three-year-old son.

Credit: Pairi Daiza NL / @pairidaizanl

"The otters really enjoy getting out of the water on the orangutan island to go and play with their big, furry friends," said Goedefroy.

"It makes life more fun and interesting for both animal species, which makes it a very successful experiment."

Credit: Pairi Daiza NL / @pairidaizanl

You can see more photos of the animals on Pairi Daiza's Facebook page.