Birth Mark Second for Orangutans Berani and Bandar

LITTLE ROCK (February 23, 2024) – The Little Rock Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of an orangutan born earlier this morning to orangutans Berani and Bandar. Zoo staff report that the new infant is healthy and nursing. Staff are closely monitoring the baby’s health since it is only a day old.

This is the second birth at the Little Rock Zoo for mother Berani who gave birth to Kasih in 2019. Both she and Bandar came to the Little Rock Zoo in 2016 and have made their home here ever since. Berani is 19-years-old and Bandar is 31-years-old. Berani and her newborn have access to both the exhibit and the interior building and are viewable on and off throughout the day.

Bornean orangutans are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning there is a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.  Their vulnerability is mainly caused by habitat loss and fragmentation of their home. It is estimated that between forty-five and sixty-nine thousand (45,000 and 69,000) Bornean orangutans remain in the wild. 

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 501-661-7200.