Busch Gardens Tampa announces birth of endangered orangutan

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has a new member of the family.

On April 13 a team of medical and zoological professionals delivered a newborn Bornean Orangutan, says the theme park.

The critically endangered ape was delivered by cesarean section to the park’s resident female Bornean Orangutan Luna.

Professionals across several organizations worked together to perform the delivery, and the newborn female weighed in at three pounds and four ounces at the time of birth.

Luna is currently still in recovery but as soon as the pair are stabilized they will be reunited and cared for by the park’s animal care team.

The Bornean Orangutans are found exclusively on the island of Borneo, and they are the third largest ape species, as well as the largest arboreal, or tree-dwelling, ape species.

They received critically endangered status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, so their survival and prosperity is paramount to organizations like Busch Gardens and other members and participants of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.

The baby has yet to be named, but per tradition, expect Busch Gardens to put it up to a public vote sometime soon.

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