Rare orangutan baby named after mascot

A critically endangered orangutan born at Blackpool Zoo has been named after a mascot for an organisation which supports children with a chronic medical condition.

The Bornean orangutan which arrived on 28 April has been named Rufus.

It followed a visit to the zoo by patients from Calea Homecare which supports children who have had intestinal failure, along with its mascot, Rufus the orangutan.

Hannah Cutler, from the organisation, said having such a special baby named after their mascot was a "true honour".

Calea Homecare help children who need home parenteral nutrition (HPN), after intestinal failure, as the bowel is not capable of absorbing enough food.

Rufus was created to help the process of empowering youngsters to understand their own condition.

Patient literature, videos, stories and games have been created around Rufus and his adventures, including a replica cuddly toy.

Darren Webster, director at Blackpool Zoo, said it was "thrilled" to name Rufus in honour of Calea’s mascot.

"It was great to see Calea enjoying one of their patient days at the zoo and after seeing Calea’s Rufus with the children, our team thought it would be a fitting tribute to him," he said.

Hannah Cutler, from Calea Homecare, said: "We enjoyed an incredible patient day at Blackpool Zoo and the team really went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a great time."

She said they were "over the moon" when the zoo said it would be naming the baby orangutan after their mascot.

"He’s been engaging with the patients and their families for many years, so having such a special baby named after him is a true honour," she added.

Blackpool's Bornean orangutans are part of the European Endangered Species Programme for the species which was classified as critically endangered in 2016 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature meaning that it now faces an “extremely high” risk of extinction in the wild.

Rufus is the second Bornean baby orangutan to arrive at the zoo after more than 20 years.

Last year, the zoo celebrated its first orangutan baby in two decades.

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