From the Toronto Zoo Foundation,
On January 18, 2006, Puppe, a Sumatran orangutan gave birth ,at age 39, to a baby male. Only Puppe knew she was pregnant. The zoo officials still don't know who the daddy is.
No one expected Puppe to become a mother again at her age. And yet, there she was, nestled in her bed of woodwool, covered by a sheet that had fallen away to reveal a tiny, red haired body and brown ear.
This great news spread throughout the zoological world like a wildfire.
The day before Puppe had this baby, she was given an ultrasound. The test results suggested a tumor. Everyone was worried.
One day later, that worry melted into excitement.
Sumatra and Borneo orangutans are severely endangered species. There is a 40% decline in 9 years.
Puppe is recognized as the second highest genetically valuable orangutan in the species survival plan in North America. Pregnancy was unexpected; this is an extremely significant birth.
Photo: Peter Power
Torstar News Service
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