Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Great Ape House Reopens

WHAT:         
The Great Ape house will reopen on Tuesday morning.  This will be the first opportunity for the visitors and the media to see the Zoo’s infant Bornean orangutan born to Batang on Sept. 12.

NOTE: Batang and Redd have access to off-exhibit enclosures and may choose to spend time away from the public viewing areas. They may not be on view consistently.

WHEN:         
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Building Hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Great Ape house staff will be available for interviews from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:      
Great Ape House
Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Parking: Bus Parking Lot and walk down the hill to Great Ape House. Click here for the Zoo map.

WHO:           
Meredith Bastian, curator of primates
Amanda Bania, animal keeper

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo celebrated the first Bornean orangutan birth in 25 years Sept. 12, born to 19-year old mother Batang and 19-year-old father Kyle. Zoo staff have selected the name “Redd” for the male infant; orangutans are known as the “red ape.” Batang’s pregnancy was announced June 14 through a Facebook Live broadcast of one of her ultrasounds.  Since then, the Zoo has provided weekly updates on Batang on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #OrangutanStory.

# # #