Mayor Greenberg announces two new Sumatran orangutans join the Zoo family for the first time in nearly 30 years

Press Release

Mayor Greenberg and the Louisville Zoo are thrilled to announce the arrival of two new Sumatran orangutans — the first to join the Zoo in 28 years.

Meet Sumagu (sue MA goo), a 38-year-old female orangutan, and her seven-year-old daughter, Kera (care ah). Both come to Louisville from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

After completing a standard quarantine and ongoing acclimation period, the pair are now rotating with the Zoo’s three other orangutans in the dayroom at the Islands habitat. When winter temperatures give way to spring, they will also be visible in the Islands’ outdoor habitats.

“I am delighted that families in our community will have new animals to enjoy, learn from and build memories with this winter and beyond,” said Mayor Greenberg. “The Zoo offers fun experiences and learning opportunities for all ages, and the fact that it’s open year-round makes it an even greater resource for our city.”

Currently, Sumagu and Kera will be exhibited together with the plan of joining the other two females, Bella and Amber eventually. The Zoo’s male orangutan, Segundo, will also be part of the habitat rotation, though males are typically solitary or occasionally paired with females.

The Zoo’s website will be updated daily to indicate when the pair can be seen in their habitat. Visit louisvillezoo.org/plan and check the animal viewing schedule for details.

Sumagu comes with a future breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP) with our male, Segundo. Aimed at maintaining the genetic diversity of managed animal populations in human care, the SSP contributes to the conservation of this species.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sumagu and Kera to the Louisville Zoo family,” said Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney.  “Both are gorgeous, and we encourage every member of our community to come see our newest residents. This is a great time of the year to visit the Zoo during Kroger’s Wild Winter Days running now through the end of February. Bring a canned food item and receive a discount.”

About orangutans

Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammals. They are the most socially solitary of the great apes. There are three species – Bornean, Sumatran and a recently identified Tapanuli.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists all three as critically endangered due to habitat loss with forests being extensively logged and converted to agriculture and palm plantations. All three species are listed as such.