‪@aucklandzoo‬ is delighted to announce the safe and speedy arrival of a healthy baby Bornean orangutan, born on Sunday 20 March to second-time parents Melur and Charlie!
Melur (33) had a quick and straightforward labour without any complications, supported by Charlie and the Zoo’s primate team, and her baby (whose sex is yet to be confirmed) was born at 11.30am.
So far, Melur is proving to be an exceptionally attentive mum, and her baby has a strong suckling reflex and a healthy grip - both signs he/she is thriving. She’s particularly enjoying making huge nests and cuddling up to her baby in the orangutans inside area - ensuring she holds the baby in the correct position for nursing and is being very gentle and nurturing.
Orangutans are a Critically Endangered species that Auckland Zoo, thanks to their visitors, has been supporting the conservation of in the wild for more than 20 years. It’s through this help and support to their partners - the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) and more recently, the Sumatran Ranger Project, that some great and positive outcomes for this critical rainforest species are being achieved.