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Zoo’s Baby Orangutan Makes His Public Debut

Dumadi, the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo’s 3 ½ month-old orangutan, made his public debut today for members of the local media.

Dumadi, a male, is the first orangutan ever born at the zoo. His mother, Sayang, unexpectedly collapsed and died just one hour after giving birth on October 22, 2006, leaving zoo keepers to care for Dumadi.

The rare baby has remained behind-the-scenes since his birth, tended 24 hours a day by a crew of 12 devoted caregivers who fill the role of “mom” in Sayang’s absence. Keepers feed Dumadi bottles filled with formula, carry him 24 hours a day, and help him learn to grasp and climb. “We feel privileged to have a chance to work with an endangered orangutan,” says Indonesian Rain Forest Area Manager Tanisha Dunbar. “He has definitely won our hearts.”

Zoo officials are pleased with Dumadi’s growth and progress. “He’s gaining weight and growing at the rate he should,” said Zoo Veterinarian Joe Smith. “He’s right on track.”

Although Dumadi is strong and healthy, his future at the zoo is still uncertain. “Our number one goal is to have Dumadi raised by orangutans rather than zoo keepers,” says Animal Curator Mark Weldon. To achieve that goal, keepers are evaluating Melati (Mah-LAH-tee), the zoo’s adult female orangutan, as a possible surrogate mother for Dumadi. If she accepts him, Melati’s role would be to bring Dumadi to keepers at feeding time, teach him to grasp and climb, and cuddle up with him at night.

To ensure Dumadi’s safety, zoo keepers are taking a slow, careful approach to the introduction process. So far, Melati and Dumadi have only interacted through a wire mesh door and have not yet been in complete physical contact. “Melati is showing great interest in Dumadi,” said Weldon. “But it’s too soon to tell how things will go.” Even if Melati takes over Dumadi’s care, it may be several months to a year before they are introduced to the Orangutan Valley exhibit.

Dumadi’s father, Tengku, shows some interest in his baby, but males typically play no role in their baby’s care, so he is not a possible surrogate.

If Melati does not accept Dumadi, the zoo staff will send Dumadi to another zoo where he can be matched with another surrogate orangutan mother. “Even though it would be very difficult for the staff to let him go, we have to do what’s best for Dumadi,” says Weldon.

Helping Dumadi to understand his identity is important because orangutans are an endangered species. Only about 14,000-25,000 orangutans remain in the wilds of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia, so each animal is important to the species’ future. “If Dumadi is raised by people, he will never be able to socialize with other orangutans and would probably never breed and produce offspring,” said Weldon. Orangutan breeding in North American zoos is managed by the Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP is a cooperative program among zoos to maintain genetic diversity within populations of endangered animals. About 300 Sumatran orangutans live in zoos around the world. Only 15-25 orangutans are born in zoos worldwide each year.

If Dumadi remains at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, the staff is considering how to give zoo visitors the opportunity to see the young ape this season. “We may set up close circuit televisions so visitors can get a peek into Dumadi’s world,” says Anderson. “This is a rare opportunity.”

The zoo opens for the 2007 season on April 21.

Dumadi fact sheet

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