Indianapolis Zoo welcomes new orangutan baby

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indianapolis Zoo has a brand new resident.

That’s because their Orangutan mom, Sirih, had her baby.

The Sumatran orangutan was born Wednesday night around 5 p.m.

The baby and it’s mother, 23-year-old Sirih, are both doing well.

The baby’s weight is unknown, but the release says a newborn’s weight should be around 3 to 4 pounds.

Sirih is taking to being a mother well, she was caring for her baby just moments after it was born.

“The baby orangutan gives us special reason to be joyful,” said Dr. Rob Shumaker, executive vice president and Zoo director. “We are thrilled for the many visitors who will care more deeply for orangutans and their conservation by watching the baby grow, learn and thrive. Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered in the wild with only thousands left.”

According to the release, Sirih will spend eight to 10 years caring for and bringing up her baby. The baby will learn to climb, build nests and interact with the surroundings at the Zoo.