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It’s positive! National Zoo announces orangutan pregnancy

Posted at 4:59 PM, Jun 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-14 17:02:33-04

WASHINGTON DC — In a highly anticipated announcement, the National Zoo confirmed Tuesday Bornean orangutan Batang is pregnant for the first time.

The zoo made the announcement during a live ultrasound on Facebook.

For the first time in 25 years the National Zoo is making preparations for the birth of the endangered Bornean orangutan.

The 19-year-old orangutan and male Kyle, bred in January. Zoo officials said on February 2, they confirmed that Batang had successfully conceived.

“All of our perseverance and planning paid off when we confirmed Batang’s pregnancy,” said Dr. Meredith Bastian, curator of primates and member of the Orangutan SSP Steering Committee. “Watching her fetus develop over the past few months has been incredibly exciting, and we’re making every effort to ensure our efforts come to fruition.”

The Zoo says they are cautiously optimistic Batang will deliver a healthy baby orangutan sometime around mid-September.

They will continue to provide weekly updates on Batang through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #OrangutanStory.