AWWWWW! Stray Cat Comforts Grieving Orangutan At Zoo

[matcom]

<snip>

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. -- Tondalayo, a 45-year-old Sumatran orangutan, and T.J., a stray tabby cat, became an inseparable duo after a zoo employee introduced them late last year.

Stephanie Willard, Education Director at Zoo World in Panama City Beach, said Tondalayo was depressed since losing her mate two years ago.

Her age prevented her from moving to another zoo or taking another mate. The ducks and turtles swimming in a moat around her island were not enough, Willard told the Panama City News Herald for Thursday's editions.

When the sweet-natured orange cat wandered into Willard's life, the solution became clear.

"It's an unbelievable match," Willard said. "This has worked out a lot better than I expected it to. She's got brighter eyes now. He's brought a lot of light to her."

Zookeepers named the cat, T.K. -- short for "Tondalayo's Kitty."

They play together, cuddle and sleep together each night. They have been together constantly for more than a month.

"He's perked up Tonda more than anything," Willard said.

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/7857654/detail.html

[arwalden]

1. Ya Big TEASE... No Photos!!

:loveya:

[matcom]

3. photo for you Allen

:loveya:

[begin_within]

5. Hey by the way, Bo Bice will be on A.I. tonight (Thurs. 3/9)

[Debi]

2. Yeah, til the Orangutan eats the cat....then what? n/t

[TheBaldyMan]

7. Orang-Utans are veggie n/t

[Debi]

8. Right up until a nice juicy little kitty cat comes along....

We ALL can be tempted!!!



Yummy!!

[TheBaldyMan]

9. that's the baldest orang-utan i've ever seen !

the one at the top I mean.

[CottonBear]

4. No human or ape should have to live alone.

This is so sad. Why oh why can't she be with others of her kind? I'm glad she has a cat at least but it's not the same as another Orangutan.

[Sanity Claws]

6. Nice story

I'd love to see them together. It's interesting the cat is orange, just like an orangutan.