A new addition has arrived at ZooTampa at Lowry Park with the birth of a male Bornean orangutan to first-time mom Randee. The baby is the Zoo’s eleventh offspring and a significant addition for the species which has seen a population decline of more than 50 percent during the last 60 years due to deforestation caused by unsustainable palm oil farming.
The yet-to-be-named baby was born on Sunday, November 15, and recently made his debut on habitat at the zoo. Like humans, baby apes are born completely dependent on their mothers, with maternal care continuing for many years.
ZooTampa is home to three generations of orangutans which are part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan.
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