The young orangutan, named Sibu Junior, was born on July 31 at Dublin Zoo. Despite efforts from staff to encourage his mother to feed him, she was unable to do so, and it was ultimately decided to find a new home where he could receive proper care.

At 12 weeks old, Sibu Junior has now been taken in by the European specialist orangutan crèche at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, southern England.

According to a spokeswoman for Monkey World, “Sibu Junior’s mother clearly loved him, but she didn’t have the skills to position him for feeding, so the tough choice was made to hand-rear him to ensure his survival.”

Dublin Zoo’s team provided round-the-clock care for Sibu Junior in his early weeks, while arrangements were made to transfer him to Monkey World. The rescue center is home to Europe’s orangutan crèche for orphaned and rejected infants, aiming to break the cycle of abandonment and help female orangutans learn to raise their own young.




Dr. Alison Cronin, director of Monkey World, said, “It’s unfortunate that Sibu’s mother couldn’t feed him, which was everyone’s hope. The Dublin Zoo team saved his life, caring for him around the clock while completing health checks and paperwork for his transfer to Monkey World.”

Cronin emphasized the importance of young orangutans growing up with others of their species, adding, “Monkey World specializes in the care of these vulnerable infants, with facilities to support their development and integration into the nursery crèche.”

Currently, Sibu weighs just over 3 kg and feeds on 90 ml of formula throughout the day and night. Though not quite ready to join the other orangutans, he will soon start sitting up and moving on his own. At that point, he’ll begin spending time in the nursery, meeting other young orangutans.

Sibu’s journey in the nursery crèche will last around 10 years, allowing him to grow up with others before eventually joining an adult group of his own.

Monkey World has cared for 10 orphan orangutans from seven countries, and its nursery, along with foster mother Oshine, a Bornean orangutan, currently provides care for four other young orangutans.