December 10, 2010
Latest Video
This is the first footage of Maimunah and her new born taken when baby was just 1 day old. Keeper Andrea tells us a bit more about how both girls are coping
December 9, 2010
Melbourne Zoo's Sumatran Orang-utan Maimunah has given birth to a female baby.
Keepers were on hand to observe the birth on Monday evening and have remained on duty since then to watch over Maimunah and her baby.
Maimunah brought her baby out on view for the first time Thursday morning where she spent some time with her newborn in the indoor day room area. For the next few days, Maimunah is likely to move between that area and her night den, depending on when she feels like taking a rest. It may be a week or more before Maimunah and the baby go into the outdoor exhibit areas, and the Keepers will be waiting for a warm and sunny day for the baby's first outdoor experience.
Curator Jan Steele says that ‘the baby seems to be quite large, and Maimunah is going to need some time to get over the birth.
‘We are watching Mai very carefully. At present she is looking uncomfortable and doesn't want to move, even for her favourite treat, mango.
‘We are very pleased that mother and baby have now established a good nursing routine, and the baby is looking alert.'
Zoo Director Kevin Tanner said ‘this is exciting news, and we know that people will be very keen to see the new arrival'.
‘The welfare of mother and baby will determine when they will come out into the display areas on a regular basis.
‘In the meantime, we would like to put this birth into a larger perspective: about 50 individuals of this endangered species die every week in South-east Asia due to the rapid expansion of palm oil plantations.
‘We hope the community will support our campaign calling for change to food labeling laws, so that when manufacturers use palm oil that will be shown on the label.
‘It's encouraging to know that our supermarket choices can make a difference to orang-utan survival in the wild. For how to help, please see Don't Palm Us Off
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