Keepers are rejoicing the birth of a critically endangered orangutan at a UK zoo – describing it as a ‘milestone step’ to preventing the species from extinction.
The tiny Bornean orangutan was born on October 7 at Chester Zoo, after its mother, Leia, delivered the wee animal after an eight-and-a-half-month pregnancy.
New photos reveal the newborn clinging to its mother while she explores around the baby’s new habitat in Cheshire.
The birth is part of an international conservation breeding programme to help repopulate the species.
Primates Assistant Team Manager, Chris Yarwood, said: ‘Leia is a wonderful mum.
‘She’s extremely attentive and has spent the first few days holding her baby close, feeding regularly, and forming a really strong maternal bond.
‘It’s a huge privilege to witness.
‘The baby is still tiny and we haven’t yet been able to determine the sex – but what really matters is that it’s healthy and that Leia is doing a brilliant job, as we knew she would.
‘Any birth of a Bornean orangutan is incredibly special, given how threatened the species is.
‘It’s an important step forward for the international conservation breeding efforts that are working to prevent this iconic animal from disappearing forever.’
The newborn is Leia’s third baby after she surprised keepers in 2020 when she gave birth after returning a negative pregnancy test.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, Northwest Bornean orangutans are the most threatened subspecies, and out of three species, all of them are critically endangered.
Logging and hunting are major contributors that seriously affecting the natural habitat of the Bornean orangutans, with only around 105,000 remaining.
Since the year 2000, conservationists estimate more than 40 per cent have been wiped out with palm oil production and agricultural expansion also to blame.
The only place you’ll find the Sumatran and Bornean orangutan in the UK is at Chester Zoo.
Deforestation-free Commodities Policy Lead, Cat Barton, said Chester Zoo has worked in partnership with Borneo for more than 20 years to protect wild orangutan populations, restore rainforest habitats, and tackle the root causes of deforestation.
‘Through long-term initiatives like wildlife corridors, community engagement, and reducing human-wildlife conflict, we’ve supported efforts that have now helped the area where we work – the Kinabatangan – earn recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
‘This is a huge milestone for our partners at HUTAN and for global conservation.
‘Closer to home, we continue to champion the use of sustainably sourced palm oil, encouraging individuals and businesses to make better choices that protect rainforests and the countless species that depend on them.
‘With palm oil found in so many everyday products – from biscuits to shampoo – choosing certified sustainable options is one of the simplest, most powerful actions people can take to help wildlife, including orangutans like Leia’s baby.’
