(Chester Zoo via SWNS)
By Ed Chatterton
Keepers are celebrating the birth of a critically endangered orangutan at a UK zoo – hailing it a ‘milestone step’ towards saving the species from extinction.
The tiny Bornean orangutan was delivered by mom Leia at Chester Zoo in the early hours of October 7 following an eight-and-a-half-month pregnancy.
Heartwarming photos show the newborn clinging to its mother while exploring its new surroundings at the Cheshire attraction.
The adorable youngster joins an international conservation breeding program which is working to protect the species from extinction.
Chris Yarwood, assistant team manager of primates at Chester Zoo, said: “Leia is a wonderful mum.
“She’s extremely attentive and has spent the first few days holding her baby close, feeding regularly and forming a really strong maternal bond.
(Chester Zoo via SWNS)
“It’s a huge privilege to witness.
“The baby is still tiny and we haven’t yet been able to determine the sex – but what really matters is that it’s healthy and that Leia is doing a brilliant job, as we knew she would.
“Any birth of a Bornean orangutan is incredibly special, given how threatened the species is.
“It’s an important step forward for the international conservation breeding efforts that are working to prevent this iconic animal from disappearing forever.”
Bornean orangutans are highly threatened in the wild and require the highest conservation priority, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The tropical forests of Borneo – the only place on Earth where they are found in the wild – have suffered devastating losses in recent decades.
Conservationists say more than 40 percent had been lost since 2000 due to palm oil production, logging, agricultural expansion, poaching and illegal hunting.
Bornean orangutans are one of three orangutan species, all of which are critically endangered
(Chester Zoo via SWNS)
Chester Zoo is the only zoo in the UK to care for two of them – the Sumatran and Bornean orangutan.
Experts say as one of the planet’s closest living relatives to humans, they play a vital role in maintaining the health of their rainforest ecosystems.
Cat Barton, policy lead on deforestation-free commodities at Chester Zoo, added: “Chester Zoo has worked with partners in Borneo for more than 20 years to safeguard wild orangutan populations, restore rainforest habitats and tackle the root causes of deforestation.
“Through long-term initiatives like wildlife corridors, community engagement and reducing human-wildlife conflict, we’ve supported efforts that have now helped the area where we work – the Kinabatangan – earn recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
“This is a huge milestone for our partners at HUTAN and for global conservation.
“Closer to home, we continue to champion the use of sustainably sourced palm oil, encouraging individuals and businesses to make better choices that protect rainforests and the countless species that depend on them.
“With palm oil found in so many everyday products – from biscuits to shampoo – choosing certified sustainable options is one of the simplest, most powerful actions people can take to help wildlife, including orangutans like Leia’s baby.”