Blackpool Zoo has welcomed its first critically endangered Bornean orangutan child for greater than 20 years after first time mom Jingga gave delivery within the early hours of Wednesday 14th June.
Guests will have the ability to see the toddler, which keepers have confirmed as male, when the orangutan home is reopened on Saturday 1st July following a brief interval of closure to permit mom and son to bond.
Jingga, who’s 13, got here to Blackpool in 2017 from her birthplace in Barcelona and the newborn’s father, Kawan, joined her, together with Blackpool born Cherie and Summer season, in 2022.
Kawan, who can also be 13, arrived from Apenheul Zoo within the Netherlands and was an instantaneous hit with the females.
The latest addition to the group could be very particular certainly because the species is in actual hazard of changing into extinct within the wild and Blackpool’s group of orangutans are a part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP).
Darren Webster, Director at Blackpool Zoo, stated: “The arrival of this very particular child is fantastic information, not only for us right here at Blackpool Zoo, however for the species too.
“Certainly one of our resident females, Summer season, was the final child to be born right here and we’ve been working arduous to create a breeding group to assist safeguard the way forward for this magnificent species.
“Kawan’s arrival marked the start of a brand new begin after our earlier male, Ramon moved to a gaggle in Germany that was extra suited to him for breeding.
“Ramon settled in effectively in his new household and has now turn out to be a father himself, so we’re delighted that the transfer was an enormous success for each collections.
“Kawan was chosen to type a breeding group at Blackpool Zoo following in depth talks with consultants from the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and specialist keepers from the UK and past.
“The Bornean orangutan was categorized as critically endangered in July 2016 by the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Which means this species now faces an “extraordinarily excessive” danger of extinction within the wild.
“This makes breeding programmes such because the EEP completely very important and we hope that that is the beginning of a brand new technology of lovely Bornean orangutans right here at Blackpool Zoo.”
The group of 5 reside in Blackpool Zoo’s £1million Orangutan Outlook facility, which has been specifically designed to fulfill the difficult wants of the magnificent species.
Meet Blackpool Zoo’s Bornean orangutan household:
Kawan
Date of delivery: February twenty second 2010
Birthplace: Apeldoorn within the Netherlands
Bodily traits: He has a protracted face and slim construct (though this can change in time as he continues to mature)
Character: He’s very calm and laid again, he loves meals enrichment together with the yogurt dipper and blue tubes containing frozen meals.
Different info: He’s the youngest grownup within the group and now a first-time father!
Jingga
Date of delivery: October twentieth 2009
Birthplace: Barcelona
Bodily traits: She is the smallest feminine within the group
Character: She has a mild nature and could be very inquisitive; she likes to be concerned and watch what’s going on round her
Different info: Appeared in a viral video in 2015 which has been considered greater than 20 million instances
New child
Date of delivery: June 14th 2023
Birthplace: Blackpool
Bodily traits: Tiny and really, very cute
Character: But to be found!
Different info: The infant is the primary Bornean orangutan to be born at Blackpool for greater than 20 years
Cherie
Date of delivery: April ninth 1997
Birthplace: Blackpool
Bodily traits: Her hair is a extra auburn, deep tone of crimson
Character: She is playful however may be strong-willed and cussed!
Different info: Cherie was born within the outdoors paddock at Blackpool Zoo at 1.45pm. Because the zoo was open to guests presently her delivery was witnessed by crowds of individuals
Summer season
Date of delivery: Could twenty third 2002
Birthplace: Blackpool
Bodily traits: Her hair is extra orange than auburn and he or she has a round-shaped face.
Character: Playful and inquisitive
Different info: Summer season was with Jingga throughout the delivery of the newborn, which is able to give her very important expertise if she turns into a mom herself in future
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Photos / Movies present:
Extra details about Blackpool Zoo:
Blackpool Zoo is owned by Parques Reunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a number one world-wide participant. The zoo is dwelling to over 1,000 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-seven acres of mature woodland and lakes.
The zoo’s signature animals embody elephants, giraffes, huge cats, gorillas, orang-utans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos. It’s open on daily basis of the 12 months, other than Christmas Day, from 10am. For extra info go to www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk
Blackpool Zoo is a member of The British and Irish Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), which is a conservation, schooling and wildlife charity, representing over 100 of the very best zoos and aquariums in Britain and Eire.
BIAZA collections have world impression, collaborating in over 800 conservation initiatives, 1,400 analysis initiatives and contributing greater than £24 million a 12 months to discipline conservation. With over 30 million guests being welcomed yearly, BIAZA zoos and aquariums are recognised as providing a enjoyable and secure approach to find out about animals and collectively they ship formal schooling periods to greater than 1 million college students.
For additional info please contact:
Paula Holden at ICG on 01772 679383 or on 07772268378 or e-mail [email protected]