Female Sumatran orangutan Diri with her cub born today of unknown gender. The baby is already drinking mother’s milk and according to the first observations, it is vital. Photo by Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo
A Sumatran orangutan was born at the Prague Zoo shortly after noon Thursday 2.5.2024. This is the first cub of the 11-year-old female Diri, who was also born in the Prague Zoo. The father is a 22-year-old male from Paga. According to the first observations, the cub is vital and the breeders have already seen it drinking its mother’s milk.
The Indonesian Jungle Pavilion remains open – so visitors can see the rare addition for themselves now.
“The baby orangutan was born on the day when female gorilla Mobi is four months old and just three weeks after the birth of another baby gorilla.
It is unbelievable that I can now announce the birth of the third critically endangered great ape this year at the Prague Zoo. It is symbolic that this is happening just a week before we welcome Jane Goodall here,” said the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek.
The Prague Zoo has been breeding orangutans almost continuously since 1961. So far, the last cub born here was a male Pustakawan, called Kawi, who will be four years old this November. He lives in the Zoo together with his mother Mawar, and they will be the ones to be found in the outdoor enclosure tomorrow and during the weekend. Diri with Pagy and their newborn today live on a neighboring island on the upper floor of the Indonesian Jungle Pavilion. It is possible to observe the trio there now and will continue to do so in the coming days – the newborn cub will remain inside the pavilion for the time being.