Baby Sumatran Orangutan Makes Debut At Philadelphia Zoo

PHILADELPHIA — The baby Sumatran orangutan born at the Philadelphia Zoo in June has made his public debut.

Jambi, born to the zoo’s 31-year-old female Tua and 28-year-old male Sugi on June 26, got his name after a city on the island of Sumatra where this species is native.

Zoo officials said Jambi continues to look strong, and Tua continues to be an excellent mother, nursing and holding the baby at all times.

Jambi and Tua have been exploring their outdoor habitat at PECO Primate Reserve, but are making their own schedule on when they will be visible to guests.

They have access to their outdoor habitat and indoor habitats where visitors can get a glimpse of them. The two will also have access to their bedroom space to spend time alone.

This is the first successful birth of this species at the zoo in 15 years and a significant birth to the populations of these animals. The baby’s birth is a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan breeding program to ensure the survival of Sumatran orangutans and maintain a genetically diverse population. Sumatran orangutans are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature with a population of 14,000 left on the island of Sumatra. Primary threats include deforestation and population fragmentation.

"It is a joy to be able to share this wonderful news with the greater Philadelphia region and the world," Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation Rachel Metz said. "This critically endangered species is rapidly losing habitat largely due to deforestation as a result of an increased demand for logging, palm oil, and other natural resources located in their habitats. Working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to maintain a genetically healthy population in human care is vital to the survival of this species."

"Our entire Zoo Community and those that work closest with our orangutans are thrilled to watch Tua become a mother again and watch this baby grow," Andrew J. Baker Curator of Primates and Small Mammals Michael Stern said. "It is an honor to care for and work with these animals, and we all feel the magnitude this birth has in the protection of this species."

In 2009, Tua successfully gave birth to and raised one female offspring, Batu. Batu stayed with Tua and Sugi at the Zoo through 2021. When the time was right and she and her family showed the behavioral signs it was time for Batu to leave her family, the Species Survival Plan paired her with a male at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington, where she is now expecting her first baby this September.

In 1928, Philadelphia Zoo was the first to successfully breed orangutans. Since then, the zoo has had 19 more successful births.

Orangutan babies are born after an 8-month gestation and are totally dependent on their mothers. The baby is able to cling to its mother’s fur. Babies will nurse from their mothers for up to 6 years, but can start eating solid foods at 4 months old. Offspring will stay with their moms until they reach adolescence at 7 to 10 years old. In the wild, fathers typically don’t play a role in raising the young; in zoos, depending on personality, many orangutans do enjoy living together with their mate.

After allowing time for Tua and the baby to bond, the zoo will allow Tua, the baby and dad Sugi to be together if they choose to be. Tua and Sugi live together most of the time.