The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

[Carrie McLaren <carrie AT stayfreemagazine.org>]

Posted on Tue, May. 11, 2004

Orangutan's pregnancy baffles zoo officials

The Associated Press
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/nation/8636949.htm


ST. LOUIS - Despite a daily regimen of birth control pills, Merah the 
orangutan is pregnant. And St. Louis Zoo officials are uncertain who 
the father is.

"Needless to say, we have a lot of unanswered questions," primate 
curator Ingrid Porton said. "It's a little embarrassing, I have to 
admit."

Diligent about trying to prevent overcrowding and inbreeding, 
zookeepers have been giving 35-year-old Merah a daily birth control 
pill mixed into yogurt and honey. Porton suspects the mixture either 
spilled or was swiped by her 8-year-old son, Sugi.

The how is less important than the who, however. Scientists hope the 
father is 40-year-old Junior, a previous mate with great genes. They 
concede it could be Sugi, Merah and Junior's son. Merah has had 
liaisons with both.

"That's not uncommon in the wild or in captivity," Porton said.

Tests will determine paternity. Merah appears near the end of her 
eight-month term.

"If she is pregnant by Sugi, it's not the worst thing in the world. 
It's successive inbreeding that is a problem," Porton said. "But if 
she's pregnant by Junior, it's a wonderful thing."