January 1838, Jenny the first Orangutan in London zoo. Full publication details in image. On 28 March 1838, Charles Darwin came to the London Zoo to visit Jenny and was profoundly moved by the experience. He was struck by her understanding and emotional engagement with her keeper. Darwin wrote: \Let man visit Ouranoutang in domestication, hear expressive whine, see its intelligence when spoken (to); as if it understands every word said - see its affection. - to those it knew. - see its passion & rage, sulkiness, & very actions of despair;. and then let him boast of his proud preeminence. Man in his arrogance thinks himself a great work, worthy the interposition of a deity. More humble and I believe true to consider him created from animals\"."