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    Amazing stories

    IMAX Born to be Wild 3D documents efforts to rescue baby orangutans andelephants

    Regina Scruggs
    Apr 7, 2011 | 5:54 pm
    • At the Orangutan Foundation International's Care Center, caretakers have theirarms full while caring for more than 300 orphaned orangutans.
      Photo by Drew Fellman/© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    • As seen in the IMAX® film "Born to be Wild 3-D," orphaned baby elephants needblankets to keep them warm.
      Photo by Drew Fellman/© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    • A rehabilitated orangutan released two years ago by Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikascradles her wild-born infant in Indonesia's Tanjung Puting National Park.
      Photo by Drew Fellman/© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    • Elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust play soccer with their keepersas a form of exercise and enrichment.
      Photo by Drew Fellman/© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    • As shown in the IMAX® film "Born to be Wild 3-D," the orangutans and assistantsat Orangutan Foundation International make the most out of playtime at the CareCenter's jungle gym.
      Photo by Drew Fellman/© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    • David Lickley, director of the IMAX® film "Born to be Wild 3-D," greets one ofthe elephants rehabilitated at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
      Photo by Drew Fellman/© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    • A herd of ex-orphans, now living in the wild, congregate at a water hole inKenya's Tsavo National Park.
      Photo by Drew Fellman/© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    • Toung orphan orangutans play in the jungle that surrounds Orangutan FoundationInternational's Care Center.
      Photo by Drew Fellman/© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    • An orphan orangutan cuddles up with Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas during the filmingof the IMAX® film, "Born to be Wild 3-D."
      Photo by Drew Fellman/© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

    If your knowledge of orangutans consists of what you remember from Clint Eastwood comedies of 30 years ago or recent stories about the adorable new baby at the Houston Zoo, you can catch up on those amazing primates in Born to be Wild 3D, the newest IMAX film opening Friday at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

    Narrated by Morgan Freeman and with a soundtrack by Mark Mothersbaugh, this short but delightful movie tells two parallel stories with a common goal: The efforts of rescue organizations, both headed by women, to save the lives of orphaned baby orangutans and baby elephants, with the goal of returning them to their natural habitats.

    Viewers are transported into the lush rainforests of Borneo with world-renowned primatologist Biruté Mary Galdikas, who has dedicated her life to the study of the wild orangutan and to the rugged Kenyan savannah with celebrated elephant authority Daphne Sheldrick. The large IMAX format and impressive use of 3D technology make the viewer feel as if he is swinging through the treetops with the orangutans and close enough to pat the trunks of the gentle elephants.

    First we meet Galdikas, the founder of Orangutan Foundation International. Canadian-born of Lithuanian parents, Galdikas grew up with a love of nature and a desire to become an explorer. After emigrating to the U.S. in the 1960s and earning degrees in psychology, zoology and anthropology, she met Kenyan anthropologist Louis Leakey. He helped her obtain funding for orangutan studies, as he had done previously with both Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey for their respective studies on chimpanzees and mountain gorillas.

    In 1971, ready to study orangutans, Galdikas arrived in one of the world's most remote places, Tanjung Puting Reserve in Indonesian Borneo, despite warnings from her professors and others that "it couldn't be done." The thinking then was that it was impossible to study orangutans in the wild; they were too elusive and wary, living almost entirely in deep swamps.

    Despite the lack of telephones, roads, electricity, or regular mail service, Galdikas persevered. Over the last 40 years she has brought to light not only the ecology and behavior of the wild orangutan, but also the problems brought on by poaching and destruction of their habitat, the tropical rain forest.

    According to most wildlife-monitoring organizations, orangutans are a highly-endangered species that used to be common throughout southeast Asia. Now they are found primarily in Borneo, with a small population in Sumatra; estimates of the current population are less than 60,000.

    In the Malay language, "orang" means "person" and "utan" is derived from "hutan," which means "forest." Thus, orangutan literally means "person of the forest." Babies are totally dependent on their mothers for the first two years of their lives; Dr. Galdikas' organization helps raise these orphans by bottle-feeding them and allowing them to cling to a keeper's body until natural weaning age (2-3 years).

    The other heroine of Born to be Wild 3D is Sheldrick, born in Kenya in 1934 to British parents when the country was still under British rule. From 1955 to 1976 she worked alongside her husband David, the founder of Kenya's giant Tsavo National Park. There she raised and rehabilitated orphan animals of many species: not only the elephant, but also the black rhino, buffalo, zebra, impala, warthog, and many others.

    After her husband's death in 1976, she chose to continue this important work, and at the age of 77 is considered one of the foremost experts in animal husbandry and wildlife conservation. She lives and works in the Nairobi National Park, courtesy of the Kenyan government, and administers the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

    Elephants live in close, social groups. Babies are orphaned for many reasons, commonly due to poaching of adults by humans. The movie shows baby elephants cared for by human keepers from the Sheldrick Trust: each elephant is paired with a keeper who feeds them by day, and sleeps with them by night. The babies do need their "mothers" as a scene in the film shows a stranded baby elephant with a herd of bulls (males). The bull elephants will not look after the baby, so the human keepers run off the bulls, capture the baby, and return him to the orphan herd.

    There are also scenes of the babies being bottle-fed milk, using a formula perfected by Sheldrick to take the place of the mother's milk these elephants should be having. This is all-important as elephants depend on milk for the first two years of their lives.

    "Spending so much time among the orphaned elephants and orangutans in this film was a life-changing experience," said producer/writer Drew Fellman. "And IMAX 3D makes it possible to share that wonder with the audience in a very profound way that takes us directly into the lives and struggles of these amazing animals."

    Rated G, and at only 40 minutes, Born to be Wild 3D can and should be enjoyed by humans of all ages.

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    These are the 14 best things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Dec 3, 2025 | 6:30 pm
    Brandy & Monica: The Boy Is Mine Tour
    Photo courtesy of Brandy & Monica
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    Man, Mariah season really is in full swing!

    Everywhere you turn, holiday events are taking place: photos with Krampus at Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, Christmas Village at Bayou Bend, a holiday tree-lighting concert at Hermann Square, even a boot-scootin’ holiday bash at The Bryan Museum.

    Houstonians definitely have plenty of chances to take a pic with Santa this weekend. Then again, some might prefer to take a snap with 2000s ingenue Shannyn Sossamon, who’ll be at River Oaks Theatre on Sunday.

    Thursday, December 4

    Betelgeuse Betelgeuse and Hellhound Social Club present “Photos With Krampus"
    Montrose cocktail bar/gourmet pizza joint Betelgeuse Betelgeuse is partnering with local dog rescue Hellhound Social Club for “Photos With Krampus,” a spooky and fun take on the traditional holiday event. The event celebrates the mythical horned figure who, in the Central and Eastern Alpine folkloric tradition, is said to accompany Saint Nick on late-night visits to children. A $30 ticket includes one professional photo with Krampus and one cocktail from the bar. 6 pm.

    Serrano Gallery presents Fernando Andriacci: "Algarabias" opening reception
    Fernando Andriacci, originally from Cuicatlan, Oaxaca, has devoted his life to art in many forms, including painting, ceramics, and monumental murals. He founded the Taller de Artes Plásticas Municipales y Pintura Monumental Rodolfo Nieto, a space that helped shape his artistic path. His art is full of animals, plants, and decorative symbols that create his own fantastic world, a personal bestiary full of imagination and color. Using a mix of techniques, he combines rich textures with balance and harmony. Through Thursday, January 15. 6 pm.

    A.D. Players presents Narnia The Musical
    The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S, Lewis’s beloved portal-fantasy saga, comes to life in a magical musical where talking animals and mythical beings await. Aslan, the great lion, returns in Narnia’s time of need, guiding children from our world through a journey of courage, selflessness, and wonder - set to soaring, spirited songs. Through Tuesday, December 23. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday).

    Friday, December 5

    The Kid presents Kids’ Meals Houston Donation Party
    Heights neighborhood bar The Kid is hosting a community event supporting Kids’ Meals Houston. Customers can enjoy specialty cocktails – The Comeback Kid and Kids’ Table (a mocktail) – crafted exclusively to raise funds for families facing food insecurity this holiday season. The bar will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from each featured cocktail to help provide nutritious meals to children across Houston. Following the event, cocktails will remain on the menu, and $3 will be donated back to Kids’ Meals Houston. Children are welcome until 7 pm. 4 pm.

    Memorial Park Conservancy presents Deck the Park
    Get into the holiday spirit at Memorial Park Conservancy’s annual Deck the Park, marking the kickoff of the Park’s month-long Holiday Lights display. Deck the Park will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including letters to Santa and ornament decorating, a tree lighting ceremony, and an outdoor screening of the holiday classic The Santa Clause, with popcorn and s’mores. Attendees can enjoy seasonal refreshments, including hot cocoa, apple cider, craft beer from Eureka Heights and more. 5 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Christmas Village at Bayou Bend
    A winter wonderland returns to Bayou Bend with Christmas Village at Bayou Bend. Ima Hogg’s historic mansion is transformed into an immersive, holiday-themed theater experience with live actors, theatrical effects, and Christmas decorations. The Christmas Village also includes carolers singing nightly, a hand-crafted model train, animated projections, and festive activities, including a cotton snowball toss, reindeer games, and sledding on a faux-snow slope. Through Tuesday, December 30. 5:30 pm.

    Malbon Store Grand Opening
    SoCal culture/golf enthusiasts Stephen and Erica Malbon will be in the Heights this weekend. They’ll be around for the grand opening of their latest Malbom golf apparel store, located on 713 Heights Blvd. (Formerly a Lululemon.) And you know else will be there? Why, it’s none other than Houston rap legend/golf enthusiast Scarface. Here’s hoping Mr. Scarface will drop some rap classics – and, maybe, a few primo golfing tips. 6 pm.

    Saturday, December 6

    Recipe for Success Foundation presents First Saturday Holiday Market
    Recipe for Success is hosting their First Saturday Holiday Market, a full day of family-friendly activities that celebrate the season and spotlight local makers, wellness, and hands-on learning. Attendees can start the morning with yoga, dig into interactive gardening workshops (pre-registration required), join chef-led cooking classes in the kitchen (pre-registration again), enjoy all-day kids’ activities, shop local vendors, taste seasonal bites, and celebrate the holidays outdoors. 9 am.

    Community Artists’ Collective presents Ashe Holiday Market
    Ashé Holiday Market returns to the Community Artists’ Collective this month. Open Thursdays through Sundays, the market, celebrating its 18th year, features a curated selection of unique items made by local artisans. Additional items include African fabric, masks, and other art pieces from various African nations. Items from the Sankofa Emancipation Project, Third Ward Blooms, and Kindred Stories are also available. Through Saturday, December 27. Noon.

    Mid Main Houston presents Holiday on Main
    Join Mid Main Houston for Holiday on Main, which proudly supports the Houston Food Bank. Enjoy an afternoon filled with music, Tarot readings, holiday card crafting, and complimentary beverages from Saint Arnold Brewing. Come make the season unforgettable with festive holiday portraits — whether with a loved ones, a special someone, or even a pet. Keep an eye out for special guests, including a special appearance by Santa. 1 pm.

    Deck the Hall: The Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Concert
    Houston’s beloved and official kickoff to the holiday season is finally here. The free, family-friendly celebration, going down in Hermann Square at City Hall, will feature live music, festive entertainment, and the lighting of Houston’s official holiday tree. Grammy-nominated R&B star Brian McKnight will headline the evening, performing a selection of holiday favorites and timeless hits. And Mayor Whitmire will lead the official countdown to light Houston’s towering holiday tree. 4 pm.

    Sunday, December 7

    The Bryan Museum presents Holiday Delights: A Boot-Scootin’ Bash
    Kick up your boots for a Texas-sized celebration at Holiday Delights at Galveston’s Bryan Museum. This free community event features festive decorations, line dancing, a petting zoo, games, crafts, and photos with Santa. This year, Holiday Delights will shine brighter than ever with a “We Are Texas” 10th anniversary theme, including storybook readings, elf hunts, live music, and free admission to the museum. 10 am.

    Color Factory presents Winter Colorland Night
    Color Factory is throwing a Winter Colorland party to give everyone a chance to add some tinsel to the season. Attendees are invited to don their seasonal best, belt out their favorite holiday tunes, and enjoy a night of colorful connection. They will also receive a free photo print of their favorite moment, along with an exclusive holiday postcard pack to share the joy of color to those near and far. 4 pm.

    Brandy & Monica: The Boy Is Mine Tour
    Clinton-era soul sirens Brandy and Monica come to Houston as part of The Boy Is Mine Tour, their first-ever co-headlining journey. The tour builds on the legacy of their 1998 duet “The Boy Is Mine,” which spent 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining cultural touchstone of late ‘90s R&B. They'll be joined by special guests Muni Long, Jamal Roberts (fresh off his American Idol Season 23 win), and Houston’s very own Kelly Rowland. 7 pm.

    Brandy & Monica: The Boy Is Mine Tour
    Photo courtesy of Brandy & Monica

    Brandy & Monica: The Boy Is Mine Tour will be at Toyota Center on December 7.

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