Dane County’s Henry Vilas Zoo decided to move its six-month-old Bornean orangutan named Keju to Zoo Atlanta.
Following Keju’s birth, its mother Kawan “became lethargic” to its baby, prompting zoo officials to take on the primary responsibilities of taking care of the orangutan around the clock, according to a Friday statement.
“At Dane County Henry Vilas Zoo our number one priority is the welfare of our animals,” said Ronda Schwetz, Dane County’s Henry Vilas Zoo director, in a statement. “Keju’s move to Zoo Atlanta will enable Keju a better chance at success being raised by an orangutan with a more experienced surrogate mother.”
The zoo made its decision after consulting the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Zoo Atlanta houses the nation’s largest zoological collection of great apes and has a successful history with integrating infants to their surrogates at the zoo, including orangutans, according to the release.
