Baby Orangutan and Surrogate Mom Make Public Debut

Photos by Jim Schulz/Chicago Zoological Society. Info provided by the Chicago Zoological Society.

Over the past 10 months, Kecil, a 1-year-old Bornean orangutan, has been developing his climbing and coordination skills under the watchful eye of his 53-year-old surrogate mom, Maggie.

Kecil (pronounced Ka-cheel) and Maggie have been bonding in behind-the-scenes quarters at the Brookfield Zoo since Kecil arrived in June 2014.

But the pair now have access to the main habitat, where zoo guests can see them between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturdays and Sundays, according to the zoo.

“We are thrilled with Kecil’s progress, as well as the relationship that has flourished between him and Maggie. Because it was extremely important that Kecil be raised by an orangutan rather than humans, the animal care staff has dedicated these past 10 months to doing everything possible to ensure his success,” said Craig Demitros, associate curator of primates for the Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, in a statement.

By practicing on hanging vines and branches, Kecil has become more agile and proficient climber, which is important in the Brookfield Zoo’s Tropic World: Asia habitat.

His diet is also changing, and he eats fruits and vegetables, but mostly baby cereal and formula that keepers give him in a bottle, according to the zoo.

Maggie doesn’t carry young Kecil around, as an orangutan mother normally would, but she does hold his arm or leg and encourages him to grab onto her as she moves around.

“As he becomes more independent, he does not need Maggie to help him get down from high places any longer, but Maggie is still protective of him, which will be good now that they have access to the main habitat,” Demitros said in a statement.

Kecil was born Jan. 11, 2014, at Toledo Zoo in Ohio, according to the Brookfield zoo. His mother, who had raised her own offspring in the past, showed little interest in caring for Kecil following a difficult delivery. After several months of dedicated but unsuccessful efforts to encourage Kecil’s mom to care for him, animal care staff decided it would be best to place him with a surrogate at another zoo.

At four months old, Kecil was taken to Milwaukee County Zoo to be placed with a possible surrogate. Initial results between Kecil and the surrogate were positive. However, the optimal level of bonding that staff had hoped to see was not achieved, and after various stages of progress, the situation seemed to have reached a plateau.

Kecil was then brought to Brookfield Zoo to be introduced to Maggie, who has a calm demeanor and has been a surrogate mom in the past, according to the zoo.

Animal care staff have kept Kecil’s progress updated on a blog on the Society’s website. Those interested in helping care for Kecil can participate in the Society’s Share the Care program.

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