From the Toronto Zoo Foundation,

On January 18, 2006, Puppe, a Sumatran orangutan gave birth ,at age 39, to a baby male. Only Puppe knew she was pregnant. The zoo officials still don't know who the daddy is.

No one expected Puppe to become a mother again at her age. And yet, there she was, nestled in her bed of woodwool, covered by a sheet that had fallen away to reveal a tiny, red haired body and brown ear.

This great news spread throughout the zoological world like a wildfire.

The day before Puppe had this baby, she was given an ultrasound. The test results suggested a tumor. Everyone was worried.

One day later, that worry melted into excitement.

Sumatra and Borneo orangutans are severely endangered species. There is a 40% decline in 9 years.

Puppe is recognized as the second highest genetically valuable orangutan in the species survival plan in North America. Pregnancy was unexpected; this is an extremely significant birth.


Photo: Peter Power
Torstar News Service

Thank you for sharing this news with us. This exciting discovery puts Toronto's zoo into the limelight. I read about it in the paper.
This is Puppe's 5th baby.

These oragutans are disappearing at a rate of about 1,000 a year. They could be extinct in as little as a decade," said Cindy Bowen, international director of the advocacy group, Sumatran Orangutans Society.

Photo from the Toronto Sun,
courtesy of the Toronto Zoo

Thank you for sharing this story. I read about it as well. This is so exciting.

Love,
Sue

Thank you for this wonderful post.
I will take a trip to the zoo for sure to see the baby and mom.

Love
Vicky

This is really good news.
Thank you for sharing this information, I had missed reading about it in the paper.

Sincerely,
Gisele

I just received a newsletter from the zoo and they found out that daddy is Molek. Sister Jahe is carrying the baby around almost as much as mom. They still did not give me the baby's name. Will let you know when I find out.

Love, Inda

Thank you for the update.
I will look out for the baby's name as well.

Love,
Sue

This happy event brings new hope for the preservation of Orangutans.
Such tenderness revealed by the pictures ... just like humans ... or maybe more even!

Enjoyable news, dear Inda, thank you.

Love,
Margherita

quote:

Originally posted by dear Inda:
No one expected Puppe to become a mother again at her age. And yet, there she was, nestled in her bed of woodwool, covered by a sheet that had fallen away to reveal a tiny, red haired body and brown ear.

Amazing!

Thanks for sharing this happy story!


Love, peace, and banana grease, Teo