The birth occurred in the early hours of April 2. The cub, weighing approximately one and a half kilograms, is in good health and under the careful supervision of Surya, who is now a mother for the fourth time. The veterinary team at the Madrid park has confirmed the normal development of the little one, who feeds exclusively on mother's milk and alternates periods of nursing with sleep and growth.
For the first few months, the orangutan's diet will consist solely of mother's milk. It is expected that between three and five months of age, coinciding with the appearance of its first incisors, the gradual introduction of fruits and vegetables into its diet will begin.
“"She shows exemplary behavior and stops any activity when the little one is nursing, resuming movement only when it finishes."
The rest of the family group, consisting of the male Dahi and his offspring Sabah and Sinar, observe the newborn with curiosity. Additionally, the zoo houses a pair of long-handed gibbons, Sandra and Adam, who share space with the orangutans.
This birth is of crucial importance due to the severe situation of the species. The population of Bornean and Sumatran orangutans has drastically declined, from 325,000 individuals a century ago to just 50,000 today. The main causes of this decline are deforestation, agricultural expansion, logging, poaching, and illegal trafficking, with habitat destruction being the most immediate threat, as approximately two and a half million hectares of jungle are lost annually.
Zoo Aquarium Madrid actively participates in the European Breeding and Conservation Program for the species, an initiative dedicated to maintaining a viable population of orangutans in captivity while working to protect their natural habitats.




