FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Public Relations
619-685-3291
WEBSITE: sdzwa.org
PRESS ROOM:
sdzwa.org/pr/orangutanbirth2022
NEWS RELEASE
San Diego Zoo Celebrates the Birth of a
Critically Endangered Sumatran Orangutan Infant
SAN DIEGO (Jan. 18, 2022) – A new year brings new beginnings—and that is
especially true for Indah, a 35-year-old female Sumatran orangutan at the San Diego
Zoo, who gave birth to her third infant earlier this month. The healthy 2-week-old male
was born on January 4, and has been named Kaja, after an island in Kalimantan, the
Indonesian part of Borneo, that houses rehabilitated orangutans prior to release in the
wild. He is the first orangutan born at the Zoo in more than seven years, when Indah
gave birth to her daughter Aisha back in 2014.
“To witness the birth of such a majestic critically endangered animal is a remarkable
experience and brings us hope for the future,” said Erika Kohler, interim executive
director of the San Diego Zoo. “His birth increases the population by one and that is a
necessary step in our ongoing efforts to gain a deeper understanding of orangutans so
we can conserve the species where they live.”
Although the infant orangutan was deemed healthy, Indah experienced some
complications following the birth. Zoo team members reached out to community-based
experts for help, including neonatal anesthesiologists and OB-GYN specialists. Indah is
recovering, and will be on habitat intermittently. Both her and the infant are being
monitored closely by wildlife health and wildlife care specialists.
“It was extremely rewarding to see the understanding and collaboration put forth
by our talented team and community consultants to provide the necessary care for
Indah and her infant,” said Meg Sutherland-Smith, director of veterinary services at San
Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “We will continue to stay vigilant; and at the same time,
remain hopeful.”
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 works to save the species by collaborating 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 the demand for wildlife products, while advocating
for laws and other measures that protect wildlife.
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 creating 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 strategic and regional conservation
“hubs” across the globe, where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,”
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 tools 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