Photography exhibition shows human side of Kluet the orang-utan at Adelaide Zoo

THE relationship between Sumatran orang-utans Karta and Kluet was a timeless love story which played itself out in front of both keepers and visitors to Adelaide Zoo. Now, 10 months after Karta’s death, Kluet still mourns the passing of his partner.

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THE relationship between Sumatran orang-utans Karta and Kluet was a timeless love story which played itself out in front of both keepers and visitors to Adelaide Zoo.

Now, 10 months after Karta’s death, Kluet still mourns the passing of his partner.

“The mourning period will be ongoing for Kluet, their memories are very like our own,” Adelaide Zoo senior primate keeper Jodie Ellen said. “He will never forget Karta.”

Kluet the orang-utan at Adelaide Zoo. Picture: Lawrence Cirocco

In a bid to help ease his mourning period and isolation, keepers are gradually integrating Puspa, another Sumatran orang-utan and long time Adelaide Zoo animal into his life.

“Having the two of them together will hopefully relieve a bit of his loneliness,” Ms Ellen said. “It’s a slow process, we are really slowly letting them be with each other more so it won’t be a negative experience.”

An upcoming exhibition of candid photos of animals at both Adelaide and Monarto Zoos shows Kluet in all his splendour. But what drew photographer Lawrence Cirocco to use Kluet’s mournful visage was the human aspect of his grief.

“Kluet is the face of the exhibit because of how human he looks,” Mr Cirocco said.

“He took an interest in me straight away, following me around the different platforms and viewing areas. Eventually he came right over as far as he could and looked directly at me. It stood out straight away. I knew I was going to use it the moment I saw the image.”

Mr Cirocco captured all the material for his first solo exhibition over two weeks split between Adelaide and Monarto Zoo.

Up close to Adelaide Zoo’s animals

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“The concept came after shooting photos at Taronga Zoo in Sydney,” Mr Cirocco said.

“A photo of two apes holding hands got the attention of David Hulme, a well known art appraiser and dealer.

“We came up with a concept based on how human the interaction between the animals looked. I proposed an exhibition, which will be my first solo show, which explores the behavioural, physical and emotional relationships between humans and animals.

“As part of that I hope the exhibition will promote animal conservation.”

Mr Cirocco said it was a privilege to get such close access to a range of beautiful animals.

“I was allowed special access to the white rhino which was great.

“Photographing animals in captivity is very opportunistic, I only used natural lighting and a regular lens with no filter, so it often comes down to opportunity and chance.”

Adelaide Zoo senior primate keeper Jodie Ellen, who has spent long periods caring for primates said she saw the similarities between the animals in her care and humans every day.

“To me there is no difference,” Ms Ellen said.

“They are exactly similar to us, they just have a different form.

“They are similar in thought process and personalities. They are just another version of us.”

The exhibition, entitled “Up Close and Personal”, will run from November 10 to December 10 at the Chateau Apollo on Frome St in Adelaide.

Photographer Lawrence Cirocco. Picture: AAP / MORGAN SETTE