Furry vest helps baby orangutan adjust to mom at Como Zoo
A male baby orangutan was born at Como Park Zoo in mid-December. He was delivered via c-section successfully, which was a first for the historic St. Paul zoo.
The baby orangutan was in critical condition the first few hours after delivery and the mother was left to recuperate. Over the next 11 days, the staff and zoo keepers spent 24 hours a day holding the baby while wearing an orange furry vest, which allowed the baby orangutan to cling to the keeper as he would cling to his own mother. To the best of their abilities, special care was taken to ensure he developed his natural orangutan instincts to help him with his reintroduction back to mom.
Because of the furry vest, Mom and baby have been doing just fine. They are currently off exhibit to give them time to bond and be closely monitored. They will be spending limited time in the public exhibit space over the next several weeks.
Currently, Como Zoo is allowing people to vote to name the new baby.
Guests can vote online here or in Como’s Visitor Center.
Source: http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=498564
