Orangutan Born at the Toledo Zoo
The Toledo Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a male orangutan. Wakil (Wah-keel), whose name means “spokesman” in Indonesian, was born in the early evening hours of Thursday, July 23. Visitors can see baby and mother indoors at the Zoo’s Kingdom of the Apes. Wakil’s parents are Yaz, 37 and Boomer, 25. Yaz has been at the Toledo Zoo since 2013 and is showing good maternal instincts. Mother and baby have been separated from the rest of the orangutan group to avoid distractions and promote bonding. In the future, the Zoo hopes to reintroduce mother and baby to the group. Wakil is the eighth offspring for mom Yaz, fourth for dad, Boomer and their second collective child. This was an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) orangutan Species Survival Program (SSP) recommended breeding. Through this cooperative breeding and conservation program, zoos around the country work together to help ensure a future for many species, including orangutans. “It is really exciting to see what a great mom Yaz is being. This was a very important breeding for the orangutan SSP population, as its success helps extend the very genetically valuable bloodlines of Yaz and Boomer while also the population of a critically endangered species,” says Dr. Randi Meyerson, assistant director of animal programs at the Toledo Zoo. Orangutans are from the Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They are listed as critically endangered species due to deforestation from the palm oil industry and the hunting of bush meat. Wakil and his parents serve as ambassadors or spokesmen for their wild
Press Release Contact Name: Andi Norman
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-385-5721 ext. 2098
Organization Name: The Toledo Zoo
Website or Link: toledozoo.org
Organization Address: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH, 43609