Mother’s Day was this weekend, a holiday where we celebrate mothers of all kinds, whether they be human or animal.
But one zoo had a special reason to celebrate, after an endangered Bornean orangutan gave birth to a beautiful baby just a day before Mother’s Day.
On Saturday, May 7, the Topeka Zoo shared the news that orangutan Rudy had given birth to a beautiful newborn.
Photos show the precious baby bonding with its mom, staring up at her with a look of love and trust.
The zoo wrote that Rudy and her newborn “seem to be doing well,” and the baby’s father Mawas and brother Bumi love to observe.
“She’s getting lots of treats and attention from her keepers and vet staff. Baby is nursing and gripping well,” the Topeka Zoo wrote.
The birth provided a sweet story just in time for Mother’s Day — but it’s also great news for a critically endangered species.
The Bornean orangutan is critically endangered, their population dramatically reduced by habitat loss, which has largely been caused by the palm oil industry. Orangutans are also a frequent target of illegal hunting and the pet trade.
Orangutans are one of the most intelligent species in the world, and they’re also one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. The Oregon Zoo says they have one of the closest mother-child bonds of any species, and share nearly 98% DNA with humans.
They’re an amazing species, and we need to do everything we can to save them from extinction. This beautiful newborn’s birth is a crucial step forward towards keeping the species alive.
What a Mother’s Day miracle. We’re so glad this critically endangered baby orangutan is doing so well, and we hope it continues to thrive in mom’s loving care.
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