Endangered ape delivers baby at Norfolk zoo

NORFOLK — A baby siamang, a type of endangered ape, was born last week at the Virginia Zoo, surprising keepers with the arrival.

The baby was born to mother Malana and father Bali, and is the fourth siamang to be born at the zoo. Keepers arrived the morning of March 15 to find the baby clinging to Malana, the zoo announced.

Keepers had suspected Malana was pregnant, but were not able to confirm without invasive testing. The baby’s gender has not been confirmed.

Malana is an experienced mom, having given birth five times. Prior to the new arrival, she most recently gave birth to Lovejoy in June 2022. The siamang family at the zoo consists of Malana, 35; Bali, 20; Lovejoy and the unnamed infant.

Malana is considered a senior animal. The median life expectancy is about 27 years, though siamangs have lived up to 40 years in human care. They can give birth throughout their lives, according to the zoo’s reply to a social media comment.

Keepers have been monitoring the family since the birth. Siamangs form tight bonds, the zoo said in a news release, and fathers play a significant role in raising the young. Bali and Lovejoy have been calm and curious around the mom and baby, taking turns grooming Malana. The family has been “singing” together — a behavior that helps solidify bonds.

Siamangs typically mate for life and have a song, or a series of calls, unique to a pair. The sound, composed of barks and booms, can travel more than a mile. Siamangs have inflatable throat sacs that amplify their calls.

Following the birth, the family resided in private denso. Starting Tuesday, the group was visible in its dayroom. Malana has the option to move between private dens and the public dayroom as needed.

Four siamangs have been born at the zoo. The birth was the result of a breeding recommendation from the Siamang Species Survival Plan, which coordinates population management for the species.

Siamangs are native to the treetops of tropical forests in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. They are lesser apes, meaning they are smaller than other types of ape. The species is endangered due to “destruction, degradation and fragmentation” of their habitats, as well as hunting and poaching.