Endangered creature born at Ohio zoo for first time in 60 years. See ‘adorable’ baby
.png "The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium welcomed a new member to its animal family.")
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium welcomed a new member to its animal family.
The critically endangered Bornean orangutan was the first of its kind to be born at the zoo in over 60 years, according to a Dec. 4 news release.
The female baby was born on Nov. 28 to first-time mother, Khali.
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“Not only is this adorable baby already stealing our hearts with her head full of reddish-brown hair and incredible, soulful eyes, but her birth is extremely significant for her species,” the zoo said.
Sulango, a 30-year-old Bornean orangutan at the zoo, is the baby’s father, according to the release. To prepare for the birth, Khali was separated from Sulango and a 49-year-old female Bornean orangutan, Dumplin, zoo officials said.
“Since the birth, Sulango has been frequently seen sitting in visual range of Khali and their new infant,” the zoo said. “Sulango took this opportunity to calmly look at the baby, his first female offspring. Whenever he has the chance, Sulango can be seen catching glimpses of the baby.”
The zoo’s care team has watched over the baby and the new mom, and says Khali is “very attentive to the baby’s needs.”
“Khali spends her time grooming and snuggling her baby, who appears to be bright and strong,” zoo officials said.
Bornean orangutans are native to the Malaysian and Indonesian portions of the island of Borneo. They are the largest arboreal mammal, zoo officials said.
The orangutan habitat has declined by roughly 80% in the past 20 years, the zoo said. There are approximately 70,000-100,000 Bornean orangutans in the wild.
This story was originally published December 6, 2023 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Endangered creature born at Ohio zoo for first time in 60 years. See ‘adorable’ baby."
