SMART MONKEY!

BACKGROUND
Of course, an orangutan isn't really a monkey; it is one of the "great apes," and is a member of a family which Includes gorillas, chimpanzees, and... us. Humans. If you don't believe me, see here.

Given that orangutans and other apes are, literally, our relatives, it seems incredible that we do so many awful things to them: we kill them, we destroy their homes (the jungle), and we put them in jails (zoos). We wouldn't do these things to our aunts, uncles and grandparents, would we? So perhaps we shouldn't do these things to our other relatives, either, the great apes (or any animal, for that matter).

Anyway, here is one orangutan in Adelaide, Australia, who obviously doesn't like living in a zoo.

literally = really; actually; in fact
relatives = family members
awful = terrible
destroy = damage sth so badly so it cannot be used or no longer exists



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QUESTIONS
1. How did the orangutan try to escape? Was it successful?
2. What action did the zoo take?
3. What is your opinion of zoos?

WATCH THE VIDEO


LANGUAGE
an orangutan = a large ape; one of the "great apes"
an enclosure = an area where animals are kept [= pen]
an attraction = sth people want to see
a ledge = a narrow, flat rock that sticks out
essentially = basically
bid for freedom = attempt to escape
branch = one of the smaller parts of a tree
short circuit = break the electricity supply
electric barrier = part of the electric fence
proceeded to = went onto (do sth)
a set up = a device or thing used to do something
allowing = enabling
hot wire = part of the electric fence
evacuated = moved all the people out of a dangerous area
refunds = returned money; money given back to customers
has a history of = has done sth many times before
trying to outsmart = attempting to trick (sb) [= outwit]
(zoo) keepers = people who take care of zoo animals
a lot of late hours = often working overtime

Also:

"didn't make it inside" = not able to enter
"it was amazing how he done it" (notice the grammar!)
"he used a plant" (probably a big leaf or a stick)