Preceding birth

1. SuccessfulOrangutan Infant Rearing at the Toledo Zoo using multiple training and rearing techniques

2. Preceding birth Began training with doll and manipulation Ultra sounding Leave on exhibit where she will remain calm, bed heavily Facility design did not facilitate night watches

3. Kutai was acclimated to a toy orangutan, and rewarded for approaching it when it “vocalized”

4. Kutai was trained to respond to the cue “Feed the Baby”, and would present her breast though the bars to the toy orangutan

5. She would also allow the keepers to manipulate her nipples to check for lactation

6. When it was discovered that Kutai was pregnant, we began acclimating her to ultra sound training

7. We began by having the keeper use the wand, then passed the behavior to the vet staff, and then eventually an ultrasound technician

9. We were able to map the entire pregnancy and better predict parturition

10. We were also to map progress and record vitals

11. Protocol At Birth • Give 48-72 hours of observation as long as the baby looks okay • Work with mom to encourage maternal behavior • Encourage proper infant placement • Verbal reinforcement for nursing

12. Born on exhibit April 23, 2004. • Found by the keeper, away from his mother in an off exhibit cage • Had been cleaned and the umbilicus had been taken care of • Was hypothermic and needed immediate medical care

13. He was at the hospital for 4 days, then we began bringing him to the building to allow the orangutans to see him

14. Kutai nursed him through the bars when asked

15. At 13 days, his incubator was moved to the Ape House, within 4 feet of orangutan exhibit

16. We worked with Kutai to allow him to nurse through bars first, then supplemented with formula

17. Bajik was exposed to all of the orangutans daily

18. We also would sit in the holding cage with him and let him get comfortable, while Kutai sat on the other side of a divider

19. We would also close him in by himself to allow him to adapt to the cage

20. At 5 months of age when Kutai was not showing signs that she would take full care, we began to allow MJ access to see the baby as well • Kutai was picking him up at this time but would eventually put him down and walk away, with Bajik crawling forward on his own to eat. • We needed a mother to carry him all the time before we could put him in the main exhibit

21. At 6 months, we began allowing him to have short interactions with MJ. MJ laid down by Bajik and rested her hand on him

22. At around 7-8 months we began leaving him in with MJ for the entire day, with her bringing him forward and allowing him to eat

23. MJ, within a little more than a week, refused to separate from Bajik, so we allowed them to be together overnight.

24. When introduced back to the group, MJ sustained an injury that required medical treatment. • Kutai, retrieved Bajik and cared for him overnight

25. Boomer, the following day, picked up Bajik and has cared for him ever since, bringing him up for feeds when asked.

26. Boomer carries Bajik, shares his nest, and cuddles him if Bajik is upset

27. Khali • We used the same trained behaviors again for Kutai’s second pregnancy, both ultra sounding and reinforcing maternal care with the toy orangutan, as well as nipple manipulation

28. Khali was born on May13, 2006 and Kutai cleaned the infant and exhibited appropriate maternal behavior • Kutai was brought off exhibit so that we could closely observe her maternal care

29. She was observed to nurse the baby initially…

30. …but began to hide under blankets and not allow observations At 72 hours, the infant was removed to be checked

31. The infant was allowed to nurse from Kutai while she was sedated, then reintroduced when she awoke

32. Kutai was then given another 72 hours with constant observation • Khali was then removed • Nursing observed infrequently • Infant not as bright and alert • Kutai not holding baby in proper position • Low blood glucose level

33. Started bottle feeding formula while also encouraging Kutai to nurse the baby through the bars

34. We used the same technique with Khali • Would get up and come forward when baby cried • Manipulated her own breast into the baby’s mouth • At 12 days (5 days post-removal), as Kutai was allowing Khali to nurse, we adjusted the baby onto Kutai and let go, allowing her to take the baby back

35. We then encouraged Kutai to nurse the baby, and would ask her to bring the baby forward when possible for supplementary feeds

36. Over the next few months, the bottle feeds were reduced as the nursing sessions increased both in numbers and duration

37. In this time period, as Kutai cared for Khali, Boomer continued to care for Bajik and the re-introduction was smooth and uneventful Kutai and Boomer have both become great parents and share the care of the infants

38. Kutai spends quite a bit of time playing with Bajik now and although protective, will allow Boomer to have contact with Khali

42. The Toledo Zoo’s success has been due to: • Training positive maternal and cooperative behaviors prior to birth • Strongly encouraging mother and conspecifics involvement in the infant care • Flexibility and thinking outside the box