Orangutan Tortured in Surabaya Zoo Vidoe Goes Viral

Bandung, West Java province (Antara) - A video titled "Abus of Orangutan at Surabaya Zoo", of duration one minute 15 seconds, went viral on the internet including youtube.com. According to Antara's observation, the video showed an animal tamer kicking an Orangutan, who refused to be photographed with a visitor. Spokesman to Surabaya zoo Sudaryo confirmed the authenticity of the video saying that the video were taken in 2009. However he denied any abuse toward the Orangutan. "At that time, it was a stunt to please the visitor. The Orangutan named Atin, refused to be photographed with the visitor and hence, the keeper tried to persuade her," Sudaryo clarified. According to him, after the incident, the keeper was given a formal warning and had been transferred to another division. "As to the fate of Atin, the Orangutan, she is now in good condition. We welcome journalists who want to see her in person," Sudaryo added. He noted that the Surabaya zoo has never allowed violent treatment toward its animals. (*) Reporting by Ajat Sudrajat Translating and Editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi