I posted about the Paws and Parents event at the Waco Zoo, and mentioned that Mai was pregnant and due date was imminent. She gave birth to a baby boy around noon yesterday. Here is a link to the Zoo's facebook site with baby pictures: https://www.facebook.com/cameronpar...70842665431/10157970842445431/?type=3&theater There was an OB/GYN, several neo-natal nurses from a local hospital, a veterinarian, and zoo staff on hand. I'm surprised there was room for Mai to have the baby!
Mum and baby son look as though they've bonded really well. Thanks for letting us know about the birth Jane and I hope both remain healthy. Every birth in captivity is so important when the wild populations are dwindling so rapidly.
Aww lovely. Congrats to Momma Mai and baby. Has there been a naming contest re: baby's name? Or is that still to come?
The Waco Zoo staff are over the moon with the baby's birth! There will probably be a baby naming contest for the little Orangutan--there have been contests in the past for lion cubs, lemurs, etc. Mai had to be taught to be a good mother. When she was selected as a "breeding candidate" she was given stuffed Orang toys to "mother." Unfortunately, she tore off the arms and legs, and there was an army of volunteers sewing legs and arms back on the toys. Eventually she got the idea, and the stuffed Orang toys survived intact. She is a good mama now. There will be updates on the baby's progress on both Facebook and the Zoo's website.
I was thinking since the baby boy will develop into such a handsome Orangutan, perhaps George Clooney?
I was thinking of a name as well--How about O.B. or Obi---short for orang bagus? Loosely translated it might mean, "Nice Person, or "Nice Man/guy".
