Bornean Orangutan has been born! (Updated 5/14: Regarding the baby's naming and public debut)

Updated May 14, 2026: Regarding naming and disclosing the child's name.

We will be opening a young Bornean Orangutan to the public starting May 15, 2026 (Friday).

Opening time

From 9:30 AM to around 1:30 PM

Publication location

Orangutan enclosure (indoor exhibit)

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Depending on the mother and child's condition, the event may be canceled or the schedule may be changed without prior notice.

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Please observe quietly so as not to startle the mother and child, and refrain from taking photos in the same spot for extended periods. We ask for your consideration in sharing the viewing space.

Named "Julia"

Her mother, Cheria, spent her early years being hand-reared, and from the moment she arrived at our zoo, the older individual "Julie" stayed by her side as a surrogate mother, and they formed a deep, mother-child-like bond. Julie passed away in August 2025 at the age of 60, but we named her "Julia," combining the names of both of them, with the hope of passing on the warmth of acceptance that Julie showed and the special bond that developed between the two into the future.

Added on April 24, 2026

Cheria's baby's milk intake from the bottle stabilized, its neck became strong enough to support its head, and it began to drink milk on its own without needing to be picked up and fed.
Since we were able to confirm that the baby was gaining weight steadily, we decided not to continue artificial feeding and returned the baby to Cheria on April 19th, hoping that she would raise it.
Cheria quickly picked up her cub, and the cub clung to Cheria, but since we couldn't confirm that she was nursing, we are currently providing assisted feeding by offering the cub a bottle through the cage.

We are pleased to announce that Bornean Orangutan has been born at Tama Zoo.

A newborn Bornean Orangutan baby
(Date of photo: March 10, 2026)

birthday

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

sex

female

parents

Mother: Cheria (11 years old)
Born November 19, 2014 at Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia.
Arrived at Tama Zoo on December 25, 2016.

Father: Loki (7 years old)
Born at Tama Zoo on June 29, 2018.

Progress

This was the first pregnancy and birth for the mother, Cheria, but immediately after giving birth, she picked up her pup and cared for it by licking it frequently. The pup clung tightly to its mother's body, and the caretakers carefully monitored its condition. However, the pup subsequently showed signs of weakness, so on March 22nd, they were unfortunately separated and switched to artificial feeding.

Future Plans

The calf is currently in an incubator and is stable. Cheria's health is also stable, and we will continue artificial feeding while taking care to maintain contact between mother and calf as much as possible. We will provide updates on the mother and calf's condition on Tama Zoo website.

Animal care status at Tama Zoo (as of March 26, 2026)

10 individuals (6 males, 4 females) *This includes the offspring born this time.

Domestic breeding situation (as of December 31, 2024)

11 facilities, 26 animals (14 males, 12 females)
Source: 2024 Bornean Orangutan and Kawakawa Orangutan Domestic Pedigree Registry [Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums]