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Rajang's 50th Birthday Bash!

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On the 14th June 2018 one of Colchester Zoo's most popular and well known residents, Rajang the Orangutan, will be turning 50 years old! 

Rajang was born on the 14th June 1968, arriving at Colchester Zoo in 1980. He is a hybrid, meaning he is part Bornean, part Sumatran orangutan and is one of the zoo’s most recognised residents!

Rajang loves to engage with visitors and keepers in ways which other individuals may not, including having a well known fascination with anything new, or different including going viral because of his interest in baby bumps!

To celebrate Rajang's milestone we have a number of special offers, exciting events and a special piece of limited edition artwork commissioned especially in commemoration of Rajang’s big 50th birthday. Birthday activities will be taking place on Rajang’s birthday on the 14th June but also on the two weekends on either side so everyone has the chance to celebrate with us!

Birthday activities:

On the 9th, 10th, 14th, 16th & 17th June 2018 you can join us as Rajang enjoys some special birthday enrichments, learn all about him and his species at these extra special daily encounters, take part in our 'Orangutan W.O.W stations' to learn all about caring for our amazing cousins plus a trail to complete with the chance to WIN an adoption of Rajang!

Our team will also have palm oil free cookies available for a donation to our charity Action for the Wild. The cookies were kindly donated by Paterson Arran’s and are part of their Giant Cookies range:

"Our cookies are great with a coffee or as a yummy snack eaten on the move and are a favourite for all of the family. Individually wrapped they come in 3 delicious varieties, Fruity Oat, Triple Choc & Choco Fudge, all of which are made to a palm oil free recipe and are Orangutan friendly, even displaying an Orangutan logo on the front of the pack.

As lifelong members of the Orangutan Foundation, Paterson Arran are passionate about protecting the Orangutan and its habitat by producing palm oil free Giant Cookies and helping to draw attention to the effect of irresponsible palm oil plantations on the home of the Orangutan.

Paterson Arran first removed palm oil from its oatcakes in 2002 and have removed palm oil from many other products since then. Where palm oil is still used it comes exclusively from RSPO certified sources.
As such, Paterson Arran are delighted to be involved in helping to celebrate Rajang’s 50th birthday and in turn help Colchester Zoo raise money for ‘Action for Wildlife’.''

Birthday presents:

Talented artist, Natalie Mascall, is creating a special piece of art in commemoration of Rajang’s 50th birthday. The original piece of artwork will become part of a silent auction and the lucky winning bidder will claim the original piece of art with proceeds going towards our charity Action for the Wild and the Orangutan projects which it supports.

Rajang auction

If you would like to make a bid for the original artwork please complete our silent auction form, and email it to marketing@colchesterzoo.org. The starting bid is currently set as £500.00. Visit the Acacia gift shop to place your bid in our silent auction for the original A3 drawing on the day or alternatively order one of the limited edition prints to commemorate Rajang’s 50th!

Prices for prints are as follows:
A5 – £45
A4 – £60
A3 - £75

If you would like to purchase a gift for Rajang, his keepers have put together an Amazon Wishlist containing gifts that would be useful and appreciated by Rajang and his keepers! 

*Please be aware that these gifts may not be used during Rajang's birthday celebrations and may be shared with his other zoo friends. 

Birthday SAVINGS!

To mark this special occasion we are also offering a whopping 50% off child entry tickets on the 9th, 10th, 14th, 16th & 17th June 2018! These tickets are available via our E-tickets online, book now for this fantastic saving and to join in with the fun!

BUY NOW

OPENING TIMES

5.00pm close or dusk if earlier
Last admission to zoo grounds at 4.00pm

Click here for further closing times

 

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