Little Rock Zoo Asks Public to Help Name Baby Orangutan

LITTLE ROCK (August 23, 2019) – The Little Rock Zoo is asking the public to help choose a name for the new baby orangutan born to Berani and father Bandar on July 29, 2019.  The young female is the first infant born to Berani and the fifth born to Bandar. 

The public is invited to vote by online poll available at the Zoo’s website and Facebook page.  The voting will end Friday, August 30, 2019, when the winning name will be announced. The Zoo keepers have selected four (4) names from which to choose.  The choices are the following:  1) Kasih (pronounced KAH-see)  (Malay), which means love; 2) Markisa (pronounced Mark-KEE-suh) (Malay), which means passion fruit; 3) Sabah (pronounced SA-bah  (Malay), which is the name of the state in northern Borneo where orangutans are found ; and 4) Madu (MAH-do) (Malay) which means honey.  

Her birth came at the recommendation of the Orangutan Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a program that cooperatively manages orangutan species in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to further conservation goals. This SSP Program coordinates species conservation, research, husbandry, management and educational initiatives. The Little Rock Zoo also participates in the AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program for orangutans. AZA SAFE programs combine the collective strength of AZA organizations to help save species in the wild.  

 (Picture of female orangutan infant)

About the Zoo

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.

For more information on Little Rock Zoo, visit www.littlerockzoo.com or call 501-661-7208