Ken Allen (February 13, 1971 – December 1, 2000) was a Bornean Orangutan at the San Diego Zoo. He was among the most popular animals in the history of the zoo because of his many successful escapes from his enclosures. He was nicknamed "Hairy Houdini". His escapes included disassembling the cages he was meant to be kept in, climbing out of his enclosures, walking amongst the customers as though he were a regular, teaching other Orangutans to escape, and bully his arch-nemesis, Otis, another male Orangutan whom Ken Allen absolutely hates. He became a cult icon, not unlike Harambe.
Zookeeper 1: Oh my god, he got out again?
Zookeeper 2: ... Was it Ken Allen again?
Zookeeper 1: Yeah. And the other Orangutans got out of the enclosure, too. I think Ken taught them how to escape.
Zookeeper 2: HE DID WHAT!?
Zookeeper 2: ... Was it Ken Allen again?
Zookeeper 1: Yeah. And the other Orangutans got out of the enclosure, too. I think Ken taught them how to escape.
Zookeeper 2: HE DID WHAT!?
by akuwardmoments June 7, 2020