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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Smithsonian National Zoo in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

The O-Line

Smithsonian's National Zoo

— 125 Years —

 
 
The O-Line Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2017
1. The O-Line Marker
Inscription. In 1995, the Zoo debuted the O-Line, a series of towers and vine-like cables. It allows our orangutans to travel between the Great Ape House and Think Tank, if they choose to do so. Still innovative today, the O-Line is the only "orangutan transport system" of its kind.
 
Erected by Smithsonian Institution.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: AnimalsArchitectureCharity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1995.
 
Location. 38° 55.764′ N, 77° 2.875′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Smithsonian National Zoo. Marker is on Olmsted Walk. On the grounds of the Smithsonian National Zoological Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3001 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Where Did The Portico Go? (within shouting distance of this marker); Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); Close Call (within shouting distance of this marker); Aldabra Tortoise (within shouting distance of this marker); A Book Brings A Dinosaur To Life (within shouting distance of this marker); What's the O-Line?
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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Nut Seekers (within shouting distance of this marker); Komodo Dragons at the National Zoo (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
 
The O-Line Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2017
2. The O-Line Marker
Orangutan using the O-Line on December 17, 2017 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2017
3. Orangutan using the O-Line on December 17, 2017
Orangutan using the O-Line on December 17, 2017 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2017
4. Orangutan using the O-Line on December 17, 2017
The O-Line image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2017
5. The O-Line

The O-Line

What's the O-Line?
It's our orangutan transit system. Vine-like cables, linked to towers, connect Great Ape House and Think Tank. The orangutans can choose to leave one house and walk or swing along the "vines" to the other house. The O-Line lets our apes travel and spend time up high, just as they would in the wild.

Won't the apes fall?
No. Orangutans are experts at moving safely amid forest canopies, whether walking or swinging. Swinging apes will brachiate (bray-kee-ate). Their shoulders rotate at each swing as they grasp branches, moving arm over arm to breeze through the trees.
Sign below the O-Line image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2017
6. Sign below the O-Line

Orang
Xing
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 606 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 17, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024