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 | |
Erected by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture • Charity & 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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere,
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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? (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.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Book That Brought a Dinosaur to Life (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2017
3. Orangutan using the O-Line on December 17, 2017
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2017
4. Orangutan using the O-Line on December 17, 2017
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.
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 1,360 times since then and 32 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.
