Drama Surrounds The Birth of An Endangered Orangutan At The Zoological Center Ramat Gan

At last we can see her! About two weeks ago (July 10th) Tana, a 12-year-old Sumatran Orangutan at The Zoological Center Ramat Gan @safariramatgan in Israel gave birth to a sweet little baby.

For many days it was almost impossible to see the baby, as mom held her close to her body and she "disappeared" in her long ginger fur.

Now as the baby is a bit bigger and mom more confident, we can get a glimpse of the adorable baby. Now mother and baby enjoy some peace and quiet while keepers keep a close eye.

The baby's father is male Rachamim, who will be celebrating its 11th birthday on July 31st. He is the last Orangutan born here at the zoo to his elderly parents Rochale and Mushon. His mother died when he was only 7 year old.

Soon after, Satu and Tana, two females, arrived from zoos in Germany to join Mushon and Rachamim at Ramat Gan to continue contributing to the Sumatran Orangutan breeding program.

Mushon did not manage to breed with the two. It may have been that he was too old. He died in 2018 at the age of 50.

As Rachamim grew older he got closer with Tana and finally we can see the sweet results of the bond between the two.

Tana is taking good care of her baby despite the fact that this is her first birth and she lacks experience. She is reluctant to get into her night chamber so the keepers throw food and water bottles for her into the exhibit. Both mother and baby look good and healthy.

During Tana's pregnancy we at the zoo experienced two major dramas:

During the last missile attacks Israel endured in May, a missile landed in the Zoo. Luckily it fell between the Orangutan exhibit and the Sulawesi Crested Macaques. One female Macaque was hit by a shrapnel in her back. She was hurried to the operation room and thankfully fully recovered. The exhibits however were damaged by the missile and had to be renovated. This month the Orangutan exhibit re-opened. That’s when the second drama took place. Tana and Mushon were very curious about the new plants in the exhibit and managed to climb and go out of the exhibit. Mushon went in when called, but Tana went up a tree with the baby. The vets were lifted to the tree top with firefighters’ assistance and managed to dart Tana and take her off the tree, back to the night chambers with the baby. That is also how the Zoo knows that the baby is a girl.

After such eventful times Ramat Gan officials are happy to see the mother and baby relaxing in the exhibit. We are delighted for this important addition to the European breeding program, as the critically endangered Orangutans really need our help!

The baby girl still does not have a name. According to tradition, her name should start with the letter T. any ideas?

Video Credit: Yam Siton

Видео Drama Surrounds The Birth of An Endangered Orangutan At The Zoological Center Ramat Gan канала ZooBorns