Unusual In The Wild: A Male Orangutan Takes Care Of His Daughter After Mom Passes Away

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Whether orangutan fathers directly contribute to their offspring’s rearing in the wild is unknown. Mothers spend more time with each kid than any known mammal, and the bond between an orangutan mother and her infant is thought to be among the strongest. But in a touching turn of events, Berani, a male orangutan at the Denver Zoo, took on the unusual task of raising his daughter Cerah alone after her mother passed away unexpectedly last month.

_{Image credits: Denver Zoo}

_{Image credits: Denver Zoo}

Hesty, Nias’s first daughter, was always treated by Berani as if she were his child. Berani has always treated Hesty as if she were his biological daughter, even though she is not. So when Cerah’s mother passed away, it was no surprise to the zookeepers that he stepped in to take care of her.

_{Image credits: Denver Zoo}

_{Image credits: Denver Zoo}

Although it is not known for male orangutans to participate in child rearing, Berani has always been an exception to the norm. Cerah has shown that Berani is an outstanding father, giving her all the care and affection she needs. The zookeepers thanked Berani for being watchful and guarding his daughter. The endearing images of Berani and Cerah cuddling up speak louder than words about how close they have become.

_{Image credits: Denver Zoo}

_{Image credits: Denver Zoo}

Cerah is almost completely weaned off breastfeeding, so there won’t be a need to bring in a new female to act as a “surrogate” for her, according to Carlie McGuire, the Denver Zoo’s coordinator for public relations. The entire troop is doing well and spending the day playing with Cerah, including 11-year-old Hesty, who is just a few years away from starting having her children.

_{Image credits: Denver Zoo}

_{Image credits: Denver Zoo}

_{Image credits: Denver Zoo}

Nias, Cerah’s mother, passed away, bringing to mind the terrible consequences of Sumatra’s forests’ constant degradation, which has led to the severely endangered status of Sumatran orangutans. There are currently less than 14,000 of these orangutans living in the wild. The final 15 years of Nias’ life were spent at the Denver Zoo, entertaining visitors and serving as an ambassador for her species. To ascertain the cause of her demise, zoo officials await the findings of an autopsy performed by Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Services.