Officials at the Seneca Park Zoo say that one of the orangutans at that Rochester zoo, 'Dara,' will be leaving at the end of the month to go to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, Virginia. Dara is a 14 year old female Bornean orangutan, and she will be paired with a young male orangutan to start her own family. The move is a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums as part of an orangutan species survival program.
Seneca Park Zoo Director Larry Sorel says they support the move, which he says is good for both Dara and the species as a whole.
The Seneca Park Zoo will still have three other orangutans, and officials invite area residents to spend some time during spring break to say farewell to Dara and also to see other special programs from April 12 through April 20.
