NEW ORLEANS: The endangered Sumatran orangutan infant at New Orleans’ zoo is being bottle-fed because his mother wasnt producing enough milk.
The still unnamed baby was being tube-fed as well, but the tube was removed Jan. 13, Audubon Zoo spokeswoman Annie Kinler Matherne said Wednesday.
The great apes named for their long red hair are considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Threats to the Sumatran species include hunting and the destruction of the forests and peat swamps where they spend nearly all their time in trees.
Twelve-year-old Menari gave birth to the baby on Christmas Eve; a twin brother was stillborn. Days later, the baby was showing signs of weakness and lack of nursing.
Veterinarians examined Menari, a first-time mother, and discovered the lactation problem.
Since then the infant has had round-the-clock care from zoo staffers wearing furry vests that the baby can cling to. Six to seven hours a day is spent in front of the other orangutans so they can get to know him, Matherne said.
Care staff have noticed that the group is most intrigued when there is a diaper change or a bottle feed happening! a Jan. 13 update said.
Bulan, at age 2 the oldest of Jambi’s three New Orleans offspring, is especially interested in the new little guy, the statement said. Madu, the second, was born in February 2021.
A recent video shows Dr. Daniel Cutler, the zoo’s associate veterinarian, gently pulling the baby’s hands from hospital keeper Amy Jones’ fur vest, saying, He’s … probably not going to like it he wants to be nice and close and cuddle.
The baby clung to Cutler’s index fingers as it was raised into the air. Looking around, he pulled himself up until the top of his head was almost even with the fingers he gripped.
Hes starting to say, I dont like where Im at … put me back down.’ Which is exactly what we want him to do, the veterinarian said.
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