Zoo's delight at birth of endangered orangutan

Zookeepers are "delighted" by the birth of a critically endangered orangutan at Blackpool Zoo.

Summer, the Bornean orangutan, gave birth for the first time to a male on 28 April.

It was the second birth in the last 12 months "after more than 20 years of waiting", zoo director Darren Webster said.

The primates were classified as critically endangered in July 2016 meaning the species faces an "extremely high" risk of extinction in the wild.

Both mother and baby, who is yet to be named, were doing well and living happily alongside another first-time mum, Jingga, and her son Jarang, the zoo said.

The father of both youngsters is Kawan, who came to Blackpool Zoo in 2022, from Apenheul Zoo in the Netherlands as part of the European Endangered Species Programme.

Mr Webster said: "Kawan's arrival marked a new start after our previous male, Ramon, moved to a group in Germany that was more suited to him for breeding.

"Ramon settled in well in his new family and has now become a father himself, so we are delighted that the move was a huge success for both collections.

"Summer was born here at Blackpool Zoo in 2002 and I've watched her grow and flourish over the last 22 years.

"To see her become a mother is a huge honour and testament to the incredible work and experience of our primate team."

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