San Diego Zoo Captures Orangutan After Short Chase

SAN DIEGO — A 70-pound orangutan escaped from her enclosure at the San Diego Zoo on Friday and romped free for half an hour before being netted and tranquilized by keepers.

Indah, a 7-year-old Sumatran orangutan, an endangered species, emptied trash cans and ate scraps as zoo visitors watched from a distance. The orangutan, a member of the ape family, was able to escape because the moat in the orangutan exhibit was dry for the protection of a new member of the group, 1-year-old Karen.

Indah recently came to the San Diego Zoo from the zoo in Adelaide, Australia, where she was born. Although she was hand-raised, she is considered dangerous if frightened, zoo officials said.