December 11, 2008

Tonda, a 49-year-old orangutan, is benefiting from the company and love of her pet cat, T.K. (Pet Pulse Photo by Joe Bonner)

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. -- It isn't unheard of to see different species develop unusual partnerships. But at ZooWorld in Panama City Beach, one of the most amazing friendships has formed between two of the most unlikely creatures.

"We thought we were going to lose her a couple years back because she did get depressed," said Stephanie Willard, ZooWorld's director of education. "She got off her food and off her activities."

As an elderly ape at 49-years-old, Tonda has her aches and pains, but three years ago she slipped into a depressed state after her mate Yakut died.

Tonda's handlers were initially uncertain of how she would handle the loss of Yakut, but the toll of her loss soon was obvious.

ZooWorld first tried appealing to outside distractions, but nothing seemed to pull Tonda out of her heartbroken funk.

"We've watched her over the years with the ducks, swans, gees, and turtles," Williard said. "But it's one of those things you think, 'What can you possibly do?' There's no way she would let us go out there with her."

The search for a new mate progressed, but complications ensued: Tonda was deemed too old for another orangutan mate, yet too fragile to move to a new location.

She has resided at ZooWorld for the past 11 years, while she previously lived at the St. Louis Zoo, in St. Louis, Mo.

ZooWorld then decided to draw from the example of Koko, the sign language-speaking gorilla who has nurtured several pet cats over the years.

Zookeepers felt Tonda could benefit from a similar companionship, and wound up securing the kitten they deemed ideal for the role.

The match was a success.

"Tonda very quickly got attached to the cat and got real mad at us when we would take him away," Willard said. "The cat has added so much to her life."

The odd couple's friendship also seems to benefit Tonda's respiratory issues, which handlers say are ameliorated by the presence of the 3-year-old tabby cat, T.K.

Choosing the perfect cat wasn't easy. Zoo keepers had to look for a cat that was playful, yet docile. T.K., or "Tonda's Kitty," fit the description.

"He's more laid back than the female cat probably would be," Willard said. "He loves the attention and is a typical tabby cat. Nice, fluffy, 'love on me' anytime."

T.K., has brought Tonda back to her own self, providing her with a much-needed friendship zookeepers worried she might never again experience. The orangutan and cat eat together and sleep side-by-side; even when they aren't playing or cuddling, Tonda always keeps a watchful eye on her friend.

"She needed that companionship and she is the most overbearing mother in the world to the kitty cat," Willard said.

According to those at ZooWorld, this is the only known orangutan-cat companionship in the world. But why does this love affair work? It's a mystery to those at ZooWorld.

But one thing is for sure; these two are together for good and no matter how many times you see it, it's still amazing to watch the two interact.

"It's heartwarming," Willard said. "It doesn't get to be an old story. It's very, very close to all of those of us involved."

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