ATLANTA - June 19, 2007 – Animal Management Staff at Zoo Atlanta announced that an 8-month-old infant orangutan from the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo will arrive at Zoo Atlanta tomorrow. The infant, named Dumadi (pronounced doo-MOD-ee), was orphaned last year when his mother died suddenly an hour after giving birth. Officials from the Ft. Wayne Children’s Zoo suspect that a blood clot caused her death.

“While we’re sad to see him go, we know this is the best possible situation for Dumadi,” said Mark Weldon, Zoo Animal Curator of Ft. Wayne Children’s Zoo. “We want him to be raised by orangutans, not by humans.”

Since his birth on October 22, 2006, Dumadi has received excellent round the clock care from a team of keepers in Ft. Wayne. Efforts had been underway to identify another female adult orangutan that could serve as a surrogate mother. However, keepers in Ft. Wayne were unable to find a viable candidate among the orangutans in their care and sought other options. Zoo Atlanta, who has had previous success in surrogate situations, was selected as a new permanent home for the infant.

“We were thrilled to step in to support the Ft. Wayne Children’s Zoo and their need to place this infant orangutan with a surrogate orangutan mother,” said Dennis Kelly, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta. “Our experience in surrogate situations will help to ensure that Dumadi grows up with the ability to successfully live with other orangutans.”

With the largest collection of great apes in the country, which includes 23 western lowland gorillas and 10 orangutans, Zoo Atlanta’s expertise and infant/mother rearing philosophy made it a natural fit. 25-year-old female orangutan Madu, who successfully served as a surrogate to now five-year-old male orangutan Bernas, will care for Dumadi. Bernas will continue to live in the group and will require less maternal attention as he matures.

Upon arriving at Zoo Atlanta, Dumadi will move into a behind-the-scenes area near his future orangutan mother and other group members. He will receive round the clock care over the next week as he adjusts to his new surroundings. Introductions to Madu will begin in about a week. Both Madu and Dumadi are expected to return to their group and be available for public viewing within three to four weeks.

Once introduced to Madu, Dumadi will require feedings up to five times a day. Keepers will train Madu to bring the infant to an area where a bottle may be provided for his consumption. Feedings will begin in the early morning hours and continue into the late evening daily for the next few months.

Approximately 7,000 – 8,000 sumatran orangutans remain in Indonesia and experts predict that this species of orangutans could become extinct in less than 20 years due to loss of habitat. 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 88 Sumatran orangutans live in zoos around the country.

Arrangements for Dumadi to be cared for at Zoo Atlanta, pre-date yesterday’s death of Hati a 29-year-old sumatran orangutan. Hati had been suffering from chronic renal failure since January. Her condition had improved during that time; however, her kidney function had taken a turn for the worse in recent days.

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