On Tuesday, the San Diego Zoo announced the birth of Kaja, a male baby Orangutan, who is the third offspring of Indah, a three-year-old ape.
Zoo officials said Kaja, whose name stems from an island in Kalimantan, was born healthy earlier this month. His birth came less than two weeks following the death of his father Satu, the 26-year-old ape who passed shortly before Christmas.
In their announcement last month, the Zoo said Satu was under veterinary care for serious illness. Initial findings upon post mortem evaluation were suggestive of cancer.
“This charismatic primate, and member of our family, will be sorely missed by wildlife care specialists, wildlife health team, volunteers, and guests,” the Zoo said in a statement.
The last ape to be born at the Zoo was Kaja’s sister, Aisha, who was born in 2014 and was also fathered by Satu. Indah experienced some complications following Kaja’s birth.
The help of neonatal anesthesiologists and OB-GYN specialists were utilized in aiding Indah's postpartum complications. According to the Zoo, Indah is recovering, and her health, along with her newborn, is being monitored.
"To witness the birth of such a majestic critically endangered animal is a remarkable experience and brings us to hope for the future," said Erika Kohler, interim executive director of the San Diego Zoo. "His birth increases the population by one and that is a necessary step in our ongoing efforts to gain a deeper understanding of orangutans so we can conserve the species where they live."
Kaja is a critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan infant, according to the Zoo. Sumatran and Bornean orangutans are listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Illegal wildlife trafficking and habitat loss from rampant deforestation caused a decline in the species's population, according to the IUCN.
