Artist Ibu

Did you know expecting mommy Ibu is a published artist? Her work has been published in a book available on amazon.com titled, "Fur in My Paint."

The enrichment programs at the El Paso Zoo are designed to challenge the animals, and our Sumatran Orangutans are no exception. As some of our closest evolutionary relatives, orangutans are capable of much more complex problem solving than any other species here at the Zoo. Ibu, our female orangutan, is currently the only EPZ resident who uses a brush to do her painting.

With a specially designed holder that prevents Ibu from breaking it, keepers allow Ibu to grip the paint brush with her hand, making purposeful strokes on the canvas. Everything in the process is Ibu’s choice, from which color she chooses to where and how much paint she places on the canvas. Her color choice is of most importance to Ibu, red being her favored hue. With clear intention and apparent artistic prowess, Ibu will occasionally use her fingers for touch ups here and there. Ibu even has to ensure she is using only the best quality paint by putting it through the ultimate test: the taste test.