Audubon Zoo Announce Name for Orangutan Infant

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: February 19, 2022 4:19 am

Audubon Zoo have named their Sumatran orangutan infant, born December 24th 2021, Roux. He is currently being cared for by keepers.

Photo Credit: Audubon Zoo

Audubon Zoo have announced a name for their Sumatran orangutan infant born on December 24th 2021. During a Facebook live this week the zoo announced his name as Roux.

“We are grateful to the community for helping us pick a name and extremely overwhelmed by the nearly 10K total votes that were cast,” said Audubon Zoo’s Curator of Primates Liz Wilson. “Our team feels that Roux perfectly fits the newest member of our orangutan family and loves that it pays homage to his New Orleans roots.”

The name was decided through a public vote. The zoo’s dedicated primate care team selected three names and asked the public for help to narrow it down to a final decision.

Rudy – short for Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer in honor of the infant’s December 24 birthday and the name of Notre Dame football’s famous underdog who beat the odds

Roux – French for a reddish brown like the color of an orangutan’s fur and the thickening base used to make gumbo

Maymuun – a name meaning fortunate, blessed, or one who thrives in Sumatra, the native habitat of Sumatran orangutans

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Roux is continuing to grow and gain weight. He has regular visual interactions with the rest of the Audubon Zoo orangutan family. Carers also provide exercise opportunities to grow his stamina and grip strength.

His care team are working on plans to reintroduce Roux to his mother Menari. To achieve this they are working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Orangutan Species Survival Plan advisors and Children’s Hospital New Orleans on next steps for the infant.

The orangutan family at the Audubon Zoo act as ambassadors for their species. They are listed as “critically endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Less than 14,000 remain in the wild.

“Using the right materials and avoiding the wrong ones can help deforestation and habitat loss,” said Wilson. “Simply buying sustainable palm oil products can help orangutans from losing their habitats.”

Learn more about Orangutan here – Orangutan Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Audubon Zoo on their website – Audubon Zoo