Utah’s Hogle Zoo welcomes new baby orangutan

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — The Hogle Zoo recently welcomed a new addition to their family earlier this month.

The zoo announced that Bornean Orangutan Kawan gave birth to a healthy female infant on Saturday, June 21 at 9:30 a.m. The baby orangutan was born naturally and came into the world weighing just over three pounds.

The zoo says they prepared for several outcomes, including the possibility that she may not have cared for the newborn, as she had for her first infant at another zoo. Kawan showed gentle and attentive behavior toward the newborn, but the zoo care team did not observe successful nursing, which is essential in the first 24 hours.

Due to this, and following guidance from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Orangutan Species Survival Plan, the zoo is now giving the infant around-the-clock care by hand, meaning guests to the zoo will not be able to visit the infant for several months.

Hogle Zoo says the infant has faced some challenges in consistently eating and gaining weight, and care teams are focus on stabilizing the infant. Medical teams are monitoring her weight gain, and various bottles, formulas, and medicines are being used to help with nutrition.