Everyone's obsessed with Patrick the orangutan and his double knot
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We love Patrick, a millennial Richmonder, and his royal cape. Photos: Courtesy of Metro Richmond Zoo
Patrick the orangutan is going viral.
Why it matters: All he had to do for the internet to be obsessed with him was tie a knot — twice, we might add.
Driving the news: On Monday, the Metro Richmond Zoo posted a video of Patrick celebrating his 34th birthday with a new cloak across social media.
- Patrick begins by wrapping himself in it, putting one corner in his mouth and using his hands to loop the other corner through it.
- He makes sure the first knot is sturdy, then uses his mouth and hands to double knot it.
- Across X, TikTok and Instagram combined, the video has nearly 7 million views and thousands of responses.
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What they're saying: "When he double-knotted it, I cheered," says a post on X, which has over 2 million views.
- "Alright, I've seen enough, it's time to start taxing these guys," said another.
- "100% believe the conspiracy that they can talk but don't because they don't want humans to know," someone said on TikTok.
- And to that, the zoo responded, "Yea he talks at night after everyone leaves."
The latest: The zoo posted a follow-up video on Tuesday for the Patrick fans with the orangutan smooching (licking?) the camera.
- The caption: "POV: You wake up next to Patrick."
- One commenter wrote, "Patrick! I just met you yesterday. Let's take it slow."
Fun fact: Metro Richmond Zoo often gives its orangutans blankets to replicate how, in the wild, they make nests with leaves and branches, spokesperson Taylor Andelin tells Axios.
- Plus, Andelin adds, "Patrick is very smart and he ties knots very often with the sheets and blankets."
What's next: If you have $400 laying around, the zoo has a behind-the-scenes "Orangutan Experience" where you can meet him.