The birth was described by Chester Zoo as ‘an important step forward’
Chester Zoo has welcomed a new addition
Chester Zoo has confirmed the birth of a critically endangered animal. The “tiny” Bornean orangutan was born in the early hours of Tuesday, October 7 following mum Leia’s eight-and-a-half month pregnancy.
Primate experts at the zoo have described the birth is “an important step forward” in efforts to safeguard the Bornean orangutan species and report that both mum and baby are doing well. Bornean orangutans are highly threatened in the wild due to deforestation, illegal hunting and conflict with people.
This ranks them as a species requiring the highest conservation priority, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Chris Yarwood, assistant team manager of primates at Chester Zoo, 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.
Bornean orangutan and mum Leia (Image: Chester Zoo)
“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 tropical forests of Borneo – the only place on Earth where Bornean orangutans are found in the wild – have suffered devastating losses in recent decades, with more than 40% lost since the year 2000 due to unsustainable palm oil production, logging, agricultural expansion, poaching and illegal hunting.
Bornean orangutan and mum Leia (Image: Chester Zoo)
Bornean orangutans are one of three orangutan species, all of which are critically endangered. Chester Zoo is the only zoo in the UK to care for two of them – the Sumatran and Bornean orangutan.
Cat Barton, Policy Lead on Deforestation-free Commodities at Chester Zoo, added: “Chester Zoo has worked with partners in Borneo for more than 20 years to safeguard 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.
Bornean orangutan baby and mum Leia (Image: Chester Zoo)
“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.”
