The Little Rock Zoo has revealed the name of the new female baby orangutan chosen by public vote.
And the winner is: Kasih (pronounced KAH-see) (Malay), which means love
Kasih, a baby female Northwest Bornean orangutan, was born to mother Berani and father Bandar on July 28. She is the first infant born to Berani and the fifth born to Bandar.
She can be seen at the great ape habitat with Berani. The mother carries the baby with her while she’s outside but does often shield the baby from public view by turning her back.
Kasih’s birth came at the recommendation of the Orangutan Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a program that cooperatively manages orangutan species in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to further conservation goals.
This SSP Program coordinates species conservation, research, husbandry, management and educational initiatives. The Little Rock Zoo also participates in the AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program for orangutans. AZA SAFE programs combine the collective strength of AZA organizations to help save species in the wild.