Adorable Baby Orangutan Born at National Zoo in DC

WASHINGTON, DC — Female Bornean orangutan Batang has given birth to a bouncing baby boy at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the first time that has happened in 25 years, according to a zoo statement. And that's a big deal for a species that is listed as critically endangered.

The little one was born at 8:52 p.m. on Sept. 12 to 19-year-old mother Batang and father Kyle, who bred in January. Ever since arriving in the world, the infant has been clinging to his mother, and all signs are good so far for the newborn's survival chances.

That means the Great Ape House at the zoo will be closed for the time being so Batang can bond with her infant in peace.

Batang's pregnancy was announced on June 14 with one of her ultrasounds. In the weeks since, the zoo has been updating Batang's progress, and that will continue as the baby grows up.

“Each and every birth of a critically endangered species is significant, but it is all the more exciting and this is a historic moment for our Smithsonian’s National Zoo,” Meredith Bastian, curator of primates and member of the Orangutan SSP Steering Committee, said in the statement. “I am very proud of Batang and my team. Ever since we received the breeding recommendation, they have dedicated themselves to preparing Batang for motherhood. I look forward to watching the infant experience everything for the first time — especially meeting the other orangutans and going outside for the first time with Batang.”

Zoo staff have been hard at work helping Batang prepare for motherhood, teaching her to hold the baby upright, present the baby to keepers for bottle feedings and put the baby in a special box when asked, which enables the staff to provide the necessary care to the infant.

Bornean orangutans are native to Indonesia and Malaysia, and the species has been threatened by human activity, which has resulted in a loss of vital habitat for the species. Experts believe that the orangutan population has plunged by 80 percent in the past 75 years, and the species is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, making Monday's birth that much more important for the survival of the species.

Image via Smithsonian National Zoo