Birds of Paradise

• There are 39 species of birds of paradise native to Papua New Guinea

• The only birds of paradise brought back to Europe from trading expeditions in the early sixteenth century were dead. Native traders prepared them by removing their wings and feet so that they could be used as decorations. This led to the belief that the birds never landed but were literally birds who’d come from paradise and were being kept aloft by their plumes. Hence the name ‘bird of paradise’.
• Briefly they were also thought to be the mythical phoenix.
• For ‘Monkeyboy and Gogobird’ we have created a hybrid – King bird of paradise + Parotia = Gogobird

Parotia waltz

King Bird of Paradise

Orangutans

• Orangutans share 97% of their DNA with humans! They are among the most intelligent of the primates.
• They’re also real tree dwellers, sleeping nightly in elaborate nests they make out of branches and foliage.
• They can use a variety of tools – up to 54 types for extracting insects or honey, and as many as 20 types for opening or preparing fruits.
• They can imitate human behaviour, communicate with us using sign language and are sometimes DIY enthusiasts! Watch David Attenborough’s exceptional documentary.

• Today orangutans are an endangered species. Their habitat is being destroyed by palm oil cultivation and forest fires. They’re also threatened by poachers – babies are sold as pets and adults are killed for their meat.
• Once wide-spread throughout Sotheast Asia, they can now only be found in Borneo and Sumatra.