Florida park welcomes newborn Bornean orangutan baby

An endangered Bornean orangutan has been born at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida, USA, marking a milestone in orangutan conservation efforts among accredited zoological facilities that are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.

Delivered successfully by Caesarean section on Saturday to the park’s resident Bornean orangutan, Luna, the newborn weighed in at 3 lb 4 oz (about 567 gm). The delivery was led by a team of medical and zoological professionals across multiple organizations to ensure that both mother and child got the best care, a press release from the park said.

Luna remains in recovery as she recuperates from surgery under 24-hour care at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s state-of-the-art orangutan house. Once Luna and her newborn stabilize, they will be reunited and monitored closely by the park’s highly skilled animal care team, the release said.

Now found exclusively on the island of Borneo, shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the orangutan is the third largest ape species and the largest arboreal, or tree-dwelling, ape species. The name orangutan means “man of the forest” in the Malay language.

Bornean and Sumatran orangutans differ a little in appearance and behaviour, according to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature. While both have shaggy reddish fur, Sumatran orangutans have longer facial hair. They are also reported to have closer social bonds. Bornean orangutans are more likely to descend from the trees and move around on the ground.

In the lowland forests in which they reside, orangutans live solitary existences. They feast on wild fruits like lychee, mangosteen, and fig, and slurp water from holes in trees. They make nests in trees to sleep at night and rest during the day. Adult males can weigh up to 200 lb (about 90 kg).

Both species have experienced sharp declines in population. A century ago they were estimated to number more than 230,000, but the Bornean orangutan is now estimated at about 104,000 based on updated geographical range and classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Sumatran orangutan now numbers only about 7,500 in the wild and is classified as critically endangered. A third species was announced in November 2017. With no more than 800 individuals in existence, the Tapanuli orangutan is the most endangered of all great apes.

The mission of the Species Survival Plan is to cooperatively manage specific species populations within AZA-accredited facilities and to educate guests about their role in environmental stewardship and conservation.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a family adventure destination, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. It is a blend of thrilling rides, an AZA-accredited zoo with over 16,000 animals representing more than 200 species, and exciting seasonal events for all age groups all year round.