Phoenix Zoo Marks 50th Anniversary

Children pushed their faces against the glass to get a closer look at Bess the orangutan, who was lounging only a few feet away, her head resting nonchalantly in her hands. Michael, the large, hairy orangutan in the other “day room,” sat right next to the glass with his behind facing a pack of giggling kids.

“I’ve been to orangutan exhibits across the country, and by far, I think ours is the best,” said Max Beall, a 15-year-old from Phoenix who has volunteered at the zoo for almost two years. On Saturday Beall wandered through the exhibit, chatting with kids about their pets and pointing out the baby orangutan hiding in the corner.

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