Zoo’s new orang-utan makes an appearance

PAIGNTON Zoo welcomed a male baby orang-utan in late October. The mother and baby were off-show to visitors while they settled in and bonded, but now both can be seen by visitors in the zoo’s Ape House.

The baby was born on October 24 to mother Chinta, a 32-year-old Bornean orang-utan, and father Wousan, who is 14 years old.

Clare Rugg, head of conservation services at Paignton Zoo, said: “Mum and baby are doing well and we are delighted that visitors will now be able to see them in their enclosure.”

Paignton Zoo’s keeper team had been monitoring Chinta’s pregnancy over the past few months and were delighted with the safe arrival, bringing the total number of orang-utans that call Paignton Zoo home to four.

Bornean orang-utans are critically endangered in the wild, making this birth even more special for Paignton Zoo, which is part of the conservation charity Wild Planet Trust. The main threat to orang-utans today is the loss of habitat due to unsustainable palm oil production, illegal logging and agriculture. Hunting and capture for the pet trade are also significant threats.

Paignton Zoo is involved in a European breeding programme for the species to help boost the population. It is also proud to only sell products in its restaurant and shop that contain sustainable palm oil, which is grown by reusing already deforested land rather than clearing new areas.

Paignton Zoo and its sister zoo, Newquay Zoo, are on a mission to raise awareness about sustainable palm oil and they believe that we can all make a difference by choosing products that include this over regular palm oil. The birth of this baby is a great reminder of the importance of the species in the wild, and why we need to continue to protect them.

The public can sponsor an orangutan at Paignton Zoo online with packages starting at £35.

> This male baby orang-utan was born at Paignton Zoo in late October and can now be seen by visitors