An orangutan couple were married today in a traditional ceremony at Songkhla Zoo in Thailand, according to an MCOT report.
Orangutan bride Nancy, aged 20, might be considered more cougar than orangutan, since her groom was a male nearly half her age: 12-year-old Suriya. Nancy also has a son, born a few years ago from her mating with another male, Toto. (You can see a video showing Nancy and her son at this NECN page.) Nancy and Suriya hit it off, however, and the two have been together for three months now.
Songkhla Zoo arranged the ceremony to celebrate Valentine's Day.
(A Songkhla zookeeper and orangutan Nancy's son; Image: Thoranit Pirunla-Ong)
The ceremony, witnessed by both locals and tourists, began with a procession led by three fully decorated elephants. It also included what is known as a "Kan Mark" segment, where the groom offers dowry to the bride.
Local authorities in the province signed as witnesses on the orangutans' marriage licence. This was followed by a photo op. The orangutans are now said to be on their honeymoon.
The orangutans aren't the only non-human newlyweds in Thailand either.
Chiang Mai Night Safari in Chiang Mai organized a wedding for seven pairs of rabbits. A provincial governor, civil servants, and other local officials attended the ceremony, which included Lanna, contemporary Thai and Chinese elements.
Sarawut Srisakul of the safari group told MCOT that the rabbit marriages took place for three reasons. They promote wildlife breeding at Thai zoos. They help to celebrate Valentine's Day. It's also the Year of the Rabbit in China and many other Asian countries.
In nearby Lampang province, human pairs celebrated a "We love each other; we love elephants" event at Thailand's Hang Chat district.
(Image: Thai Elephant Conservation Center)
Nine couples sat on elephants as they declared their love for their mates along with their support for elephants. The Thai elephant is the national animal there, so it was all for a good cause. Donations were collected to help ill and handicapped elephants at Lampang's Thai Elephant Conservation Center.
Tags: Animals, Current Events, Human Behavior, Humans, Mammals
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