COLUMBUS, Ohio — The orangutan family’s newest member at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has a name!
The zoo announced Monday that they named the baby girl “Clementine.”
Clementine's name was selected by the Congo Expedition team by majority vote within the department. The zoo said the keepers came up with a list of name suggestions that they felt were fitting for the new addition.
A Facebook post said, “Clementine was suggested because ‘she's tiny and sweet like a little orange.’ Fruit is also one of the most important food sources for orangutans.”
Clementine was the first Bornean orangutan born at the zoo in more than 60 years. The birth marked a significant development since the species is critically endangered.
She was born on Nov. 28 just after midnight to first-time mother Khali.
The last orangutan birth happened at the Columbus Zoo in 1962.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome the baby orangutan, and we are grateful to our dedicated Animal Care team, who have applied their expertise in all of the preparations over the last several years leading up to the breeding and birth,” Dr. Jan Ramer, senior vice president of Animal Care and Conservation at the Columbus Zoo said. “Not only is this adorable baby already stealing our hearts with her head full of reddish-brown hair and incredible, soulful eyes, but her birth is extremely significant for her species.”
According to the zoo, Bornean orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal and orangutans share approximately 97% of the same DNA as humans.
The population of orangutans is estimated to be approximately 70,000-100,000 individuals, and over the past 20 years, their habitat has declined by more than 80% mostly due to logging and the clearing of habitat in oil palm plantations.
The orangutan family can be seen in their indoor habitat daily from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. but they also have access to a behind-the-scenes area for their comfort.
