Philadelphia Zoo Celebrates Public Debut of Baby Sumatran Orangutan

Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to celebrate the public debut of its critically endangered Sumatran orangutan baby. The animal team has determined the baby is a boy and have named him Jambi after a city on the island of Sumatra where this species is native. Born to the Zoo’s 31-year-old female Tua and 28-year-old male, Sugi, on June 26, the infant continues to look strong, and Tua continues to be an excellent mother, nursing and holding the baby at all times.

Mom and baby are now exploring their outdoor habitat at PECO Primate Reserve. The two continue to make 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 (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) 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 (IUCN) 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,” says Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation Rachel Metz. “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,” says the Andrew J. Baker Curator of Primates and Small Mammals Michael Stern. “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.”

“This successful outcome is a testament to the animal care, nutrition and veterinary teams that have worked with Tua to greatly improve her health over the last eight years,” says Director of Animal Health Dr. Donna Ialeggio. “Finding practical strategies to both maintain a healthy weight and treat her chronic Orangutan Respiratory Disease Syndrome with twice daily nebulization therapies are a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of our staff.”

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 SSP 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, we 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.

To support the orangutans and the new baby at the Zoo, visit philadelphiazoo.org/adopt.

Facts about orangutans:
·        Sumatran orangutans live in primary and secondary forests of Sumatra, an island of Indonesia.
·        They are the only members of the great ape family to spend most of their time off the ground.
·        Their legs are short, but they have long, muscular arms to help them climb high in the trees.
·        They primarily eat fruits, but also eat leaves, inner bark and various types of non-leafy vegetation.
·        Orangutans are the most solitary of the great apes, but they exhibit a wide range of sociality across their range and may be extremely social when they do associate with other orangutans.

About Philadelphia Zoo

At Philadelphia Zoo, the Zoo moves around you! Pioneering Zoo360, a first-in-the-world system of animal exploration trails, Philadelphia Zoo has inspired more than 70 zoos around the globe to design new ways to invite animals to travel and roam through their own campuses. Passing through treetops, crossing over pathways and connecting habitats, Zoo360 provides Philadelphia Zoo’s beautiful big cats, playful lemurs, and lively monkeys innovative ways to explore and marvel at one another and our guests. Visit our quickly-growing sloth bear cubs in Bear Country, the new Ankole cattle hillside, Amur tigers at Big Cat Falls, western lowland gorillas in PECO Primate Reserve, Victorian crown pigeons at McNeil Avian Center, and hippos, zebras and white rhino throughout African Plains. Share a space with critically endangered lemurs as you wander through our new Lemur Island, look up as you feed the world's tallest animal at Giraffe Experience, or get up-close as you hand-serve colorful birds their meals at Wings of Asia. Philadelphia Zoo is one of the region's foremost conservation and education organizations and home to endangered, and in some cases extinct, animals in the wild. By connecting people with wildlife, Philadelphia Zoo creates joyful discovery and inspires action for animals and habitats. Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a non-smoking facility. For more information, visit philadelphiazoo.org. Facebook: PhiladelphiaZoo; Instagram: @philadelphiazoo; X (formerly Twitter): @phillyzoo; TikTok: @philadelphiazoo