Latest news from Keybo

We would like to update you on the latest developments regarding Kiibo (male), a baby Bornean Orangutan born at Tama Zoo on July 11, 2025.

Although he was weak when he was first born, it was impressive to see him clinging tightly to his mother Kiki's stomach. I was amazed that he could hold on with those thin arms and legs.

For about a month after birth, Kiki would often cling to her and bury her face in her mother's body, but after a month, she began to look around and could see Kiibo's face clearly.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Kiki was seen holding Kiibo to the fence inside the room and leaving him there for a while. Kiibo was still unable to move and was desperately trying to hang on. After a while, he seemed to get tired and started to cry, and Kiki came back to pick him up.

Is Kiki's mother tired of raising her child? Or is she training her kitty? It is common to see Kiki lying face down on a burlap sack while she eats her food.

Until now, our zoo's orangutans have grown up together as brothers. Loki, a male who is seven years older than Kiibo, has been raised with Riki, a male who is six years older than him (currently at Fukuoka City Zoo), since birth, and Chappy's son Hoppy has also been raised with Api, a male who is six years older than him. Kiibo also spent time with Loki. Loki would hold Kiibo, and Kiibo would cling to Loki. Kiki watched over them without criticizing them, so she didn't think there was any particular problem.

However, there were times when Loki seemed to be treating Kii-bo roughly. Loki would kiss Kii-bo, but then he would put his face in his mouth, and even when Kiki tried to get him to give it back, Loki would run away with Kii-bo. These were just some of the outrageous behaviors that led to the decision to separate Loki from Kiki and her mother. On the first day of separation, Kiki was restless and Loki would cry, but after a few days, they seemed to get used to each other.

We then decided to let Kiki and her baby, along with a female named Chelia, live together in the enclosure. Chelia is an orangutan that was hand-reared and raised by Julie as a foster mother. In order to allow her to learn about orangutan birth and childbirth, we placed her bedroom next to Kiki and her baby so that she could see how they raise their children.

This time, we meet Kibo face-to-face. On the first day they live together, Cheria keeps her distance from Kiki and her child, peering at Kibo from afar but never putting her hand on him. A few days later, Cheria is seen holding Kibo. Kiki doesn't seem particularly bothered, and at one point she tries to go back to her bedroom without holding her child, then, as if she remembered, goes to pick up Kibo. This incident made us think that Cheria might be able to become a mother in the future.

There have been many events, but I hope that Kiibo will grow up healthy.

[Tama Zoo South Garden Breeding and Exhibit Section 2, Orangutan Division]