How to Keep an Orangutan as a Pet

Orangutans are two species of reddish-brown haired apes that are native to various parts of Asia. The orangutans are known for their intelligence and affability, and even their name means "person of the jungle." Despite this, the apes are large, potentially dangerous animals that demand professional care and attention.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Find out the national, state and local laws related to keeping apes and, specifically, orangutans as pets. The countries where most orangutans come from outlaw the trade of the animal, so you need to make sure that the ape came from a legal source. Then you need to clear keeping the orangutan as a pet at all levels of government, including with your county and city government.
2. Develop an enclosure that has at least 1000 square feet of naturalistic space. If the temperatures in your area drop below tropical levels then you also need an indoor enclosure of approximately 500 square feet. In both cases, the enclosure should be at least 20 feet high and should have vertical and horizontal climbing structures for your pet orangutan to exercise on.
3. Feed the animal three times a day with a diet of mixed fruits, vegetables and animal proteins. Include "snacks" that are native to orangutans' natural habitats such as mangoes and mangosteens. Monitor the feces of your pet orangutan to make sure that the animal is getting the right diet and is healthy.
4. Locate a veterinarian who can come to where you keep the animal for regular checkups and in case of an emergency. If you have to ship the animal to an animal hospital, tranquilize the ape under the supervision of a vet. If you need to send the orangutan long distances follow the regulations of Container Number 33 or 34 from the International Air Transport Association.