Virginia Zoo’s Dara the orangutan is pregnant

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Another fuzzy baby is coming soon to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk.

The zoo announced that Bornean orangutan Dara is pregnant and is expecting a baby in June. The father is Solaris, who was recommended as a breeding partner for Dara through the Orangutan SSP conservation group.

“Her amazing team of keepers have been thrilled about the possibility of a little one since they first suspected she was pregnant in November 2023,” the zoo said.

This will be just the second orangutan ever born at the Virginia Zoo and “will represent a huge conservation success for the critically endangered species!” the zoo said.

The zoo says they’ll have updates in the coming months about Dara and her baby.

The news comes just days after the zoo announced the birth of an endangered ape to mother Malana and father Bali.

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