Baby Orangutan Named

Chester Zoo, with the help of over 3,000 visitors, have named the new baby orangutan born last month.

The tiny baby, daughter to the zoo's 22-year-old Subis, has been named Kirana which means 'beautiful ray of light'. Subis is so proud of her new baby that she has taken to showing her to zoo visitors who are only to happy to say hello to the tiny (1.5 kilogram) bundle of orange fluff.

Orangutans typically give birth every six to eight years. The birth of little Kirana follows that of Indah who was born to orangutan Emma less than a year ago.

Kevin Buley, Head of Zoo Programmes, said: “We had lots of great ideas for the name but Kirana has proved so popular that we were pleased to give our visitors the opportunity to name her and we’d like to thank them for their help."

“Kirana is a fitting name; her arrival has been well received and has certainly helped brighten up the dreary winter months and put a smile on our faces."

This recent birth brings the total of Sumatran orangutans at Chester Zoo to eight. Why not come and meet the new orangutan mums on mothers day?

Published by: Jonathan Dudley