Baby orangutan being bottle-fed, which intrigues others

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The infant endangered Sumatran orangutan at the zoo in New Orleans is being bottle-fed because his mother wasn’t producing enough milk. An Audubon Zoo spokeswoman says the still unnamed baby was being tube-fed as well, but the tube was removed Jan. 13. Twelve-year-old Menari gave birth to the baby on Christmas Eve. Days later, he was showing signs of weakness and lack of nursing. Veterinarians examined the first-time mother and discovered the lactation problem. Zoo staffers care for the baby round-the-clock — sometimes in front of the other orangutans so they can get to know him. A zoo statement says the others appear most interested when the baby is fed or his diapers are changed.