Baby orangutan born at Busch Gardens in Tampa

Busch Gardens announced over the weekend the birth of a female Bornean orangutan.

The park said the birth is important, since this is a critically endangered species.

Successfully delivered by cesarean section on Saturday to the park’s resident Bornean orangutan, Luna, the newborn weighed 3 pounds, 4 ounces.

Luna remains in recovery from surgery, under 24-hour care at Busch Gardens’ Orangutan House. “Once Luna and her newborn are both stabilized, they will be reunited and monitored closely by the park’s highly skilled animal care team,” the park announcement said.

Found exclusively in the wild on the island of Borneo, the Bornean orangutan is the third-largest ape species, and the largest arboreal, or tree-dwelling, ape species. The species is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The recent addition to the park’s troop is part of Busch Gardens’ participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its Species Survival Plan.

Guests interested in following Luna and her newborn’s progress are encouraged to follow Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on social media.

Busch Gardens released a series of pictures from the baby orangutan’s birth that are worthy of passing cigars around.