Bandar, the Little Rock Zoo’s male Bornean orangutan, will celebrate his 24th birthday Sunday with a new roommate. Berani, an 11-year-old of the same species, has been sharing the exhibit with Bandar for about two weeks after a required quarantine period and successful controlled introductions to see if the two would get along.

Berani comes to the Little Rock Zoo from Los Angeles Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP which makes breeding recommendations and helps participating zoos find mates for animals, some may be threatened or endangered species.

It’s estimated that 104,700 Bornean orangutans live in the wild. That number represents a decline from an estimated 288,500 individuals in 1973 and the numbers are projected to decline to 47,000 individuals by 2025. 

Bandar, the 300-pound male arrived in the summer of 2016 from the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Neb. On Sunday, keepers will help him celebrate his 24th birthday. He loves playing with and sitting in large plastic storage bins so on Sunday morning, keepers will place a bin in the enclosure for him to play with. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Meanwhile, Berani at about a third of Bandar’s size, loves covering up with her blanket, mimicking the natural behavior of creating shelter from vegetation to protect from heat and rain.

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About the Zoo

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.