Oklahoma City Zoo is selling NFTs designed by resident orangutan

To celebrate international orangutan day, the Oklahoma City Zoo is celebrating with the auction of 20 NFTs digitally painted by Elok, the zoo's 21 year old male Sumatran orangutan.  The auction is taking place via an international auction on OpenSea starting today until noon on August 22.

The auction is part of a unique animal enrichment program co-created by  The Oklahoma City Zoo and the Oklahoma Zoological Society. All proceeds from the auction will go towards the conservation efforts of wild orangutans and other endangered species in the wild.  

As the world’s first NFT to be created by an orangutan, Elok used a 2-foot digital brush and a  3×4-foot screen. As the brush moved, a motion device made from a modified Xbox captured the brush’s movement and projected the art on the screen. 

Elok painted the art as a daily enrichment activity that aims to keep him healthy and active. He is rewarded by his favourite treats including animal crackers and prunes for his artwork. 

OKC Zoo’s Director of Conservation Science, Dr. Rebecca Snyder said, ‘All three species of orangutans—Sumatran, Bornean and Tapanuli—are critically endangered, and thus conservation fundraising efforts like this NFT auction are crucial.’

‘Endangered means there is still time to help protect and raise awareness for these beloved species and their habitats, and our hope is these original NFTs created by an animal in human care and used to help wild animals has a global impact for inspiring conservation action.’ 

Globally, 60 percent of primate species are on the brink of extinction and 75 percent have declining populations due to extensive habitat loss, increased bushmeat hunting, and illegal trade. The OKC Zoo hopes this creative endeavour will garner global awareness and raise funds to conserve wildlife. 

Photo: Andrea Johnson