Jerusalem Biblical Zoo Welcomes First Orangutan Birth | The Times of Israel

Jerusalem – The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo is celebrating a rare birth: its first-ever orangutan. The newborn, a male named Cayaha – meaning “light” in Indonesian – was born to 13-year-old Soga as part of a European zoo breeding program aimed at bolstering the population of this critically endangered species, according to a report by The Times of Israel.

Cayaha weighed approximately one kilogram (2.2 pounds) at birth and will remain with his mother, Soga, for the next seven to nine years, during which time she will not have any further offspring. Zoo handlers are currently unsure which of the zoo’s two male orangutans, Ito (aged 20) or Kesato (aged 15), is the father, but suspect it is Ito.

“We are so excited,” said Lior Luzon, head of the Zoo’s carnivore department, who is also responsible for the orangutans.

The birth is particularly significant given the dwindling numbers of orangutans in the wild. The European breeding program plays a crucial role in conserving the species. Soga demonstrated remarkable maternal behavior just ten days after giving birth, venturing out into the sunshine with her baby clinging to her neck and skillfully using a rope to reach a high hammock, mimicking the natural environment of Borneo.

Male orangutans do not participate in raising their young, but Soga has already begun introducing Cayaha to the male orangutans at the zoo. Female orangutans reach sexual maturity between 10 and 15 years of age.

The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo’s successful orangutan birth represents a positive development for the conservation of this endangered species. The zoo is actively involved in international efforts to protect orangutans and ensure their survival for future generations.