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7-month-old Critically Endangered Orangutan Thriving at the San Diego Zoo, Following Mom’s Recovery from Health Complications 

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 19, 2022) – On International Orangutan Day (Aug. 19), wildlife care team members at the San Diego Zoo are celebrating two of the Zoo’s prominent primate residents: Kaja, a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan infant; and his mother, Indah. Following major health complications that left Indah hospitalized after giving birth, wildlife care specialists jumped in to care for Kaja and help nurture him during the critical early weeks of his life.  Due to quick intervention, both mother and infant are now doing well, and have since been reunited. 

           Kaja, now 7 months old, was born Jan. 4 to 35-year-old Indah. He was named for an island in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, where rehabilitated orangutans are cared for prior to their reintroduction to native habitats. This youngster is the first orangutan born at the Zoo since 2014, when Indah gave birth to her daughter Aisha.  

           Almost immediately after giving birth, Indah started experiencing severe complications and was placed under the care of the Zoo’s wildlife health team. The team reached out to community-based experts, including neonatal anesthesiologists and OB-GYN specialists, and together they determined the older orangutan was experiencing excessive bleeding and had severe anemia. Indah’s treatment required several weeks of medication; but eventually, she made a full recovery, and the wildlife team began the work of reconnecting mom and baby. 

            “It was a slow process that required a lot of patience and attentiveness, but the reward was great in the end,” said Dean Gibson, curator of primates at the San Diego Zoo. “After returning from the hospital, it took weeks for Indah to start interacting with Kaja. But once they began spending time together, their bond grew rapidly—and now, they’re nearly inseparable. It warms my heart to see Indah back in the role of mom, because she does it so well.” 

           Wildlife care specialists have also introduced Kaja to the rest of the orangutan group, and have started to familiarize him with the two siamangs that share the habitat. Zoo guests can visit the orangutans throughout the day in the Lost Forest. On days when Kaja and Indah choose to explore the habitat, guests may get a glimpse of the duo—usually early in the morning.  

           Sumatran and Bornean orangutans are listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The decline in their population is due to illegal wildlife trafficking and habitat loss from rampant deforestation, which forces them into closer contact with people.  

           San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is working to save the species through collaboration with innovative partners. Along with organizations such as SINTAS Indonesia and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, conservationists work to prevent wildlife trafficking and encourage the public to help reduce demand for wildlife-based products, while advocating for laws and other measures that protect wildlife. 

           “Orangutans are a well-known species, so it may surprise many to hear that there is a possibility they could all be gone in the near future,” said Misha Body, director of wildlife care at the San Diego Zoo. “Wildlife births like Kaja’s are always exciting events, but seeing a new animal come into the world takes on a weightier meaning, as each new life signifies hope. And hope is a very precious thing in the realm of saving wildlife, because it can help sustain us as we continue our vital work.” 
 

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About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance  

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and working toward a world where all life thrives. The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to eco-regional conservation “hubs” across the globe, where their expertise and assets—including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these skills in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television programming, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring all life thrives.