Rare Bornean orangutan born at Chester Zoo
The birth marks an important step forward for international efforts to safeguard this critically endangered species.
We’re celebrating the arrival of a rare Bornean orangutan – a precious new addition to the global breeding programme giving the species a fighting chance for the future.
Experienced mum Leia gave birth in the early hours of Tuesday 7 October, following an eight-and-a-half-month pregnancy. Both she and her newborn are doing brilliantly, spending their first few days quietly bonding together.
Our experts have described the birth as an important step forward in the international efforts to protect Bornean orangutans from extinction.
Watch as Leia is seen keeping her newborn close in these first moments together:
Leia is a wonderful mum. She’s extremely attentive and has spent the first few days holding her baby close and feeding regularly. Any birth of a Bornean orangutan is incredibly special given how threatened the species is.
Chris Yarwood, our Assistant Team Manager of Primates
Bornean orangutans are found only in the tropical rainforests of Borneo, where vast areas of habitat have been lost through deforestation, unsustainable palm oil production and poaching. More than 40 percent of these forests have disappeared since 2000, leaving orangutans fighting for survival.
All three species of orangutan are now classed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). We’re proud to be the only zoo in the UK caring for two of them – the Bornean and the Sumatran orangutan.
As one of our closest living relatives, orangutans play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of their rainforest ecosystems.
For more than 20 years, we’ve worked alongside our field partners HUTAN in Borneo to safeguard wild orangutans, restore rainforest habitats and tackle the root causes of deforestation. Together, we’ve helped reconnect vital forest areas in the Kinabatangan region – now officially recognised as a new UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
This work has included restoring a wildlife corridor that allows orangutans to move safely between important areas of habitat.
An orangutan crosses a canopy bridge built by Chester Zoo conservationists in Borneo, helping wildlife move safely between fragmented rainforest habitats. © Clark Anderson
Closer to home, we’re championing sustainable palm oil – one of the simplest and most powerful ways people can help protect rainforests and wildlife.
Cat Barton, our Policy Lead on Deforestation-free Commodities.
Our work in Borneo is just one example of how conservation at Chester Zoo connects to protecting wildlife around the world. From restoring rainforest habitats to supporting sustainable choices at home, every action helps secure a future for species like the Bornean orangutan.
