Cheetah Hunt rollercoaster at Busch Gardens, FL — Courtesy: Shutterstock — VIAVAL TOURS
At Florida’s Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, an endangered Bornean orangutan newborn has entered the world.
The young orangutan, which weighed slightly over three pounds (1.3 kilograms), was delivered by cesarean section on Saturday, according to park officials. After her surgery, Luna, the mother, will be allowed to recover and reunited with her child.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified these orangutans, which are unique to the island of Borneo, as severely endangered. As part of the Species Survival Plan of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay manages threatened populations and informs guests about the creatures.
The Bornean orangutan is the third largest ape species overall and the largest among those that live in trees. This baby’s birth is a “milestone in orangutan conservation efforts,” according to a news release from the Busch Gardens theme park.
In the wild, orangutans usually live 35 to 40 years. There is currently no name for the baby ape. With thousands of animals, the theme park claims to be one of the largest zoos in North America.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.