While the naming contest for the baby orangutan goes on until February 16, the public will now have the opportunity to put a name with the face.
WHAT: Public debut of baby orangutan at Como Zoo. Markisa, a 28 year-old Sumatran Orangutan, gave birth, via Caesarean section, to a female infant, on January 7, 2015. The newborn was delivered at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center by Dr. Micky Trent, DVM, Veterinary Medical Center Surgeon and lead veterinarian for Como Zoo, with the consultation of an extensive pre-appointed medical team comprised of human obstetricians, neonatologists, and veterinary anesthesiologists.
VISUALS: Orangutan mother, Markisa, and her 29 day-old baby clinging tightly to her.
WHERE: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory public exhibit in the Primate Building.
WHEN: Thursday, February 5th 10:00 – 4:00pm.
Como Zoo is asking the public to vote for the name of the baby orangutan with their pennies. The public is encouraged to vote online by donating money as a way of voting for their favorite of the following three names.
Aanjay (pronounced On-jay) meaning unconquerable
Cinta (pronounced Chin-tah) meaning love
Kemala (pronounced Key-mala) meaning magic stone
The public is invited to a “Baby Shower”, February 14-16 where Como will be celebrating all the new babies, including baby zebras Melee and Ruckus, and Skye, the baby giraffe. The President’s Day weekend will be filled with free, family fun activities, make-and-take crafts, games, trivia contests, special zoo keeper talks, and opportunities to meet some of Como’s furry and feathered animal ambassadors. On Monday, February 16th at 2:00pm the winning name for the baby orangutan will be revealed.
Como is partnering with Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery and asking visitors attending the President’s Day weekend Baby Shower to bring in new, unused items that will in-turn be donated to the Crisis Nursery. Items requested by the Crisis Nursery are:
-Children’s Shoes / sandals
-Boys Pants / Shorts
-Children’s Toothbrushes
-Kleenex
-Office / copier paper
-Dry Erase markers (fine or medium point)
-AA and AAA Batteries
Founded in 1983, the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is a 501(c)3 organization that works to end child abuse and neglect and create strong, healthy families through a 24 hour crisis helpline, crisis counseling, overnight residential child care, home visiting, and parent education and support groups. Last year the Crisis Nursery answered 4,500 crisis calls and sheltered 2,300 children. To learn more visit www.crisisnursery.org.
