First Bornean orangutan twins born in Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (with photos/video)

First Bornean orangutan twins born in Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (with photos/video)
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     A pigeon pair of Bornean orangutan twins were born in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) last week, joining the big family of the gardens.

     This is the first-ever successful breeding of Bornean orangutan twins in the HKZBG, bringing to five the total number of this primate in the gardens.

     Born in the morning of last Friday (July 8), the twins are the two little darlings of Vandu and Raba, the adorable and popular stars of the gardens. The male baby weighs about two kilogrammes while the female is about 1.4 kilogrammes. They are both in good health and are being well taken care of by the veterinarian and staff of the HKZBG.

     The baby twins have yet to be named. They are still adapting to their new life in the gardens before they will meet with visitors.

     The twins' father, the 16-year-old Vandu, was transferred from a zoo in Hungary to Hong Kong in January last year through a conservation breeding programme. Mother Raba, now 15 years of age, was born in the HKZBG in 1996.

     The Bornean orangutan is an endangered primate. With its huge body and lovely appearance, it has always been the most popular animal in the HKZBG.

     The lifespan of Bornean orangutans is normally up to 35 years. They are arboreal and diurnal. Apart from brief periods of mating and raising infants by females, Bornean orangutans are solitary for most of their lives. They swing and move from branch to branch with their powerful hands and rarely leave the trees for the ground. They sleep at night in large nests built of broken branches and foliage. Fruit, leaves, bark and birds' eggs are their favourite food.

     The HKZBG occupies a total area of 5.6 hectares. Nurturing a diversity of plants, the gardens are also home to 16 species of mammals. Among them, 12 species with a total number of around 50 are primates, ranging from the Bornean orangutan, the buff-cheeked gibbon, the lion-tailed macaque to the ring-tailed lemur. The gardens also accommodate birds such as the Bali mynah and the red-crowned crane, as well as reptiles including the Chinese alligator (Yangtze alligator).

     Since the 1970s, the HKZBG has placed much emphasis on the breeding and conservation of animals and has been sharing the responsibility to conserve rare and endangered animal species. It promotes public understanding and appreciation of animals through educational activities and exhibitions.

Ends/Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:07

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