The young animal has developed splendidly in the last four weeks under the care of its mother. Orangutan females look after their offspring independently, without male reinforcement. In doing so, they form a close bond with the young animal and teach it all vital skills such as climbing, searching for food or the necessary social behavior over the years. The other group members are already showing interest. When the young animal is a little bigger, last year's offspring is already waiting as a playmate. Not only Schönbrunn Zoo is happy about the great development of the orangutans. “Genetically, our young orang female is an important contribution to the European Conservation Breeding Scheme. In this way we can contribute to building a reserve population outside the habitat. With our new females and female offspring, we have laid an important foundation for a successful breeding group," says Folko Balfanz, head of the zoological department.

The zoo also supports orangutans in their natural habitat. Because the animals are particularly endangered by the loss of suitable habitats. That is why Schönbrunn Zoo supports the protection efforts of the Hutan project in the Kinabatangan region on the island of Borneo. As part of the project, suitable corridors between intact forest areas are being explored and reforested to enable wild animals to migrate. The efforts not only benefit the orangutans, but also proboscis monkeys, miller's gibbons, Borneo's pygmy elephants, Sunda clouded leopards and sun bears and promote biodiversity. 

Photos by: Daniel Zupanc