Throughout Kawan’s pregnancy, Hogle Zoo prepared for several outcomes, including the possibility that she might not care for the newborn as she had not for her first infant at Henry Vilas Zoo. Both zoos provided maternal training and support in hopes of preparing Kawan. 

Kawan showed gentle and attentive behavior toward her newborn after birth, carrying her and showing interest in interacting with her. However, the care team did not observe successful nursing, which is essential within the first 24 hours.  

We provided positive reinforcement to encourage Kawan to nurse and remained hopeful. After close observation, it became clear that intervention was necessary for the infant’s health.  

With guidance from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP) and after many thoughtful discussions about the baby’s best interest, Hogle Zoo decided to hand-rear the infant. She is now receiving round-the-clock care from her dedicated team. 

At birth, we were pleased with the infant’s strong grip, appropriate body weight, and ability to take bottles well. She has faced some challenges in consistently eating and gaining weight.  

Our focus is now on stabilizing and ensuring the infant’s wellbeing, monitoring her weight gain, and cheering when she gains a few grams. We have taken several tiny blood samples to check her glucose level and other blood values. We are using a variety of bottles, nipples, formulas, and other supportive medicines to provide her with the hydration and nutrition she needs. 

We have experienced staff who have successfully raised a handful of baby primates, but we can’t predict the outcome yet for this orangutan. We continually refine and adapt our techniques with a passionate, hard-working, and intelligent staff working tirelessly to give this baby the very best chance. 

Our team is focused on her wellbeing and continues to provide her with around-the-clock care and a supportive environment as she recovers from delivery and adjusts to the changes many mothers experience after birth. We’re proud of the maternal interest she showed and the effort she made trying to care for this infant. 

Guests may see her spending time with orangutans Mia and Acara, or Tuah.

The baby is receiving 24-hour care from a dedicated team. Caregivers wear personal protective equipment, like face masks, and are trained to mimic orangutan mothering behavior. They track all feedings, bowel movements, and development. 

As orangutan mothers move through the trees and build nests, their infants cling to them constantly, even while sleeping. Because of this natural instinct, Hogle Zoo’s caregivers will provide 24/7 physical contact and support for the newborn. The team wears specialized vests designed to imitate orangutan fur. 

We don’t have plans to reintroduce Kawan to the infant at this time. In the hours after the birth, Kawan showed attentive behavior toward her newborn. However, the care team did not observe successful nursing, which is essential for the newborn. 

We’ve begun working with female orangutan Acara to reinforce the maternal behaviors she developed while fostering her brother, Tuah, in 2014, and may enable her to become this infant’s caregiver. Her fostering experience was a consideration for Kawan’s SSP-recommended transfer to Hogle Zoo.

In some cases, even male orangutans can serve as nurturing fosters, and our teams will consider every possibility to ensure the baby is well cared for. 

Using positive reinforcement, established training, and protected contact, the team introduced female orangutan Acara to the infant. Acara has shown interest and interacted in a gentle manner. Her behavior will guide this progression, providing our team with valuable insight into her comfort level and willingness to become a caregiver.

The baby will stay behind the scenes for several months as she receives around the clock care from our team. The goal is to eventually try to place her with a foster orangutan who can provide social and developmental support. Stay tuned for updates! 

Kawan came to Hogle Zoo on a breeding recommendation with both males, Mia and Tuah—either of which could be the dad! Our team will later confirm the father through a DNA test. 

Kawan is due around the middle of June. Orangutans don’t have an exact due date, just a window of time! Our animal care teams determine birth windows based on when they observe successful mating.   

We have not been able to confirm gender yet—our team will be able to determine after the baby is born.

Kawan came to Hogle Zoo on a breeding recommendation with both males, Mia and Tuah—either of which could be the dad! Our team will confirm the father once the baby is born through a blood test.  

Kawan had one baby at her previous zoo, but despite maternal training, she did not care for the baby after the birth. Because of that history, there’s a possibility she may not care for this baby. While we’re hopeful Kawan will bond with and raise her baby, our team is fully prepared for any outcome. 

That includes stepping in with expert human care if needed and placing the baby with a foster caretaker. Acara, the other resident female, has experience as a foster and would be our first choice—she successfully helped raise her younger brother, Tuah. In some cases, even male orangutans can serve as nurturing fosters, and we’ll consider every possibility to ensure the baby is well cared for. 

The team would start by hand-rearing the baby in a space where the foster can see and observe. Using positive reinforcement and established training, the zoo team would then allow the foster to move closer, show interest, and—if they choose—begin interacting with the baby.  

Acara would be our first choice. She successfully helped care for Tuah in the past, and the strong trust she’s built with her care team makes her an ideal candidate to foster an infant.

In some cases, even male orangutans can serve as nurturing fosters, and our teams will consider every possibility to ensure the baby is well cared for. 

It will likely be a while after the birth before the baby will be visible to the public. After the birth, Kawan and the baby will be given time and space in a private area. A lot will depend on how Kawan chooses to interact with the baby—if she chooses not to care for the baby, our teams will begin the hand-rearing and foster process.  

Orangutan babies typically stay with their mothers for around eight years—one of the longest parent-offspring relationships among mammals! During that time, they learn essential skills and behaviors that help them develop.  

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