nom nom nom Grapes!

Keepers watched as Khaleesi grabbed a whole red grape and placed it in her mouth! Between her baby teeth biting it, mouthing and sucking on it - she ate the whole grape!

Khaleesi selected a large seedless red grape – it looked huge in her little hand! If you’re a mommy who is introducing solid foods, you’ve probably thought the same thing looking at a slice of banana or pear in your little one’s little hand.

Most human babies get their first tooth when they are around 4 – 7 months old. Like with Khaleesi, human baby teeth usually come in pairs. In humans, the bottom front two teeth typically show up first, followed by the top ones.

Khaleesi now has FOUR little front teeth – all on the bottom front.

The grape was served to mommy Ibu. In fact, Khaleesi first went for a stalk of raw broccoli, which Ibu did not let her grab. Ibu took Khaleesi’s little hand and slowly directed it somewhere else. Good thing, too, because mouthing a stalk of broccoli would have been a challenge for Khaleesi!


Khaleesi didn’t take any more of mommy’s food … this time.

It’s the season of GIVING – and the season of GRATITUDE!

Santa Claus is coming to the Zoo, bringing special treats for our El Paso zoo animals and a special gift of snow for the kids to play in. But when you come to the Zoo, you give a special gift to wildlife around the globe.

When you visit the Zoo, round up at a cash register, or support the Zoological Society, you help the El Paso Zoo give to worldwide conservation efforts! In partnership with the El Paso Zoological Society, the El Paso Zoo has given more than $73,000 over the past seven years to projects saving wildlife locally and around the globe. Zoo staff participates in several projects as well!

Because you came to the Zoo, together we were able to help orangutan conservation in Indonesia, supporting the Orangutan Foundation International and the Orangutan Conservancy. Orangutans are critically endangered in the wild. Many conservationists predict that if any of the five species of great apes become extinct in the wild during this century, it will be the Sumatran orangutan. The wild population has declined dramatically by more than 50 percent during the past few decades.

The El Paso Zoo has focused on Sumatran orangutan conservation efforts as one of its top priorities over the past 10 years. The birth of baby Khaleesi was one of the Zoo’s greatest conservation achievements! Have you seen her on exhibit with mommy Ibu?

Did you know the Zoo has helped orangutan in Indonesia and at the Zoo? In recent years, the Zoo has expanded its conservation efforts to include more targeted education programs and a partnership with UTEP that sent Zoo staff to Indonesia to assist with “hands on” orangutan conservation. Two Zoo staff members have visited Indonesia to help with orangutan conservation efforts. Additionally, the full-time animal care staff at the El Paso Zoo is currently contributing to orangutan heart research and orangutan dental research to help save this endangered species in the wild.

Together, we were able to help these conservation efforts in Indonesia and continue our commit to saving orangutans!

Orangutan Foundation International - Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation or orangutans and their rainforest habitat. OFI also supports research on orangutans and forests, education initiatives, both local and international, and brings awareness concerning orangutans. Additionally, OFI runs a research center and rehabilitation center.

Orangutan Conservancy - The Orangutan Conservancy (OC) supports rehabilitation centers in Borneo and Sumatra; funds conservation science; supports Indonesian students through our scholarship program; stages the annual Orangutan Conservancy Veterinary Workshop (OC/OVAG); and promotes orangutans and their conservation plight.

If all Khaleesi wants for Christmas is her two FRONT TEETH ...

If all Khaleesi wants Christmas is her two front teeth, then Christmas has come early to the El Paso Zoo! Khaleesi’s keepers at the El Paso Zoo have been monitoring her dental development in order to contribute to worldwide conservation research! Now, Khaleesi - who turns eight months old on Christmas eve - has two little baby teeth!

These observations are a perfect example of how Zoos contribute to worldwide conservation efforts. On a daily basis using positive reinforcement training, the orangutan trainers will cue Ibu to present Khaleesi to them. This allows the keepers and trainers to examine Khaleesi up close. Khaleesi is accustomed to the orangutan care staff and will allow them to examine her gums for any teeth that may be coming in. Now she has two – and she also appears to have healthy gums!

If you have a little one cutting teeth, you know it isn't one of those milestones a baby reaches all at once. Most human babies Most babies cut their first tooth at around six months old.

Dental observations help sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Indonesia and Asia, where deforestation and poaching have led to orphaned animals, and a need to estimate the age of the orphans.

When orangutans are observed in the wild or when they are orphaned in sanctuaries and rehabilitation facilities in South East Asia, the birth dates are usually unknown. Likewise, all current research indicates that cutting teeth – and when a baby starts teething – is less affected by environment than was previously believed. It is also something that varies with the individual animal as to how soon or how long it takes to start. That means that zoo babies can be good models for tooth eruption in wild orangutans even though they grow up in different environments.

Only 1 out of 6 orphans are lucky enough to be rescued – more than 1,000 orphaned orangutans are living in rescue and rehabilitation centers. Orphans may have lost their mothers because of poaching, or the mother might have been killed for wandering into an encroaching palm oil or paper plantation. Poachers who kill the mother often illegally sell the orphaned infant orangutans as pets.

By helping conservationists come closer to gaging the age of the orphans, this information can help them better plan and prepare orangutans for release into the wild. Also, more correct and consistent age assignment will help build stronger cases for enforcement of existing laws that protect orangutans in areas suffering from deforestation, poaching and other threats.

Ibu eats browse on exhibit with baby Khaleesi at her side. 

So what do orangutans eat? In the wild, orangutans mainly eat fruit. However, orangutans also eat leaves, flowers, bark and insects. At the Zoo, Ibu eats a well-balanced diet that was researched, reviewed and compiled together by the Zoo’s commissary supervisor with the Zoo’s veterinarian. It consists of lots of healthy greens, non-toxic browse (browse is leafy high-growing vegetation), small amounts of grass hay, produce and biscuits fortified with vitamins and minerals. Adult orangutans are capable of opening hard—shelled and/or thorny fruits by gripping it firmly between their teeth and using one hand to manipulate it until a weak point is found, thereby breaking open the hard exterior. This feeding method enables orangutans to feed on certain vegetation before its ripe enough for other species such as elephants and various insects to eat.

Khaleesi will still nurse for 6-8 years, but she participates in some baby-led weaning, mouthing and sucking soft fruits. Right now, Ibu nurses Khaleesi every 2 to 4 hours.

Hello from the other side ...

Orangutans are the only primarily arboreal great ape and are actually the largest tree living mammal in the world. Ibu loves climbing to the highest, top-most point of her exhibit so she has a 360-view of the Zoo! 

In the wild, orangutans live and sleep up in the trees, sometimes as high as 120 feet above the ground. Orangutans usually have little need to come down from the trees, as they are uniquely adapted for their arboreal lifestyle.

So live from the El Paso Zoo ... hello from the other side ... 

Baby-led weaning!

The six month milestone baby Khaleesi is baby-led weaning. Right on track developmentally, Khaleesi has become very interested in mommy Ibu’s mouth: watching her eat, touching her lips, and making a “kissy face” with mommy. Although, Khaleesi doesn’t have any teeth yet, she only ‘mouths’ certain solid foods, such as browse, fortified biscuits and other solids.

Baby orangutans may begin eating soft fruit, in addition to nursing, at around three months of age. Initially mothers help prepare the solid food by grinding it up with their teeth, then giving it to their young to chew.


Some parents prefer a baby led approach to weaning and introducing solid foods to baby. Many parents choose to offer their babies food that is puréed while others prefer to jump straight into table foods.


Khaleesi has access to both – and also started gripping and mouthing biscuits, grass and lettuce leaves – but baby orangutans do continue to breast feed until they are six to eight years old. Khaleesi always spits out the items she mouths and doesn’t swallow them.


While Ibu was playing with an enrichment feeder, Khaleesi took a gelatin cube! Ibu had gelatin cubes in her enrichment feeder, which she gets by solving puzzles. Because of her tiny hands and arms, Khaleesi was able to reach in and grab the cube without solving any puzzles or using any tools. Not only did Khaleesi grabbed a cube and mouthed it – she also ate it!


Won’t it be fun to see if Khaleesi has a sweet tooth like Mommy Ibu?

What is Palm Oil? And why does it matter?

WHAT IS PALM OIL?

Palm oil is a type of edible vegetable oil derived from the palm fruit, grown on the African oil palm tree. This tropical tree species originated in West Africa, but now grows as a hybrid plant in many parts of the world, including South East Asia, Central America and South America.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

As an ingredient, palm oil is found in at least four out of 10 household products. Worldwide palm oil consumption is doubling every 10 years. This oil is produced from palm oil plantations that continue the practice of cutting down critical wildlife habitat to expand operations, mainly in Malaysia and Indonesia. More than 85 percent of all palm oil globally produced and exported is from Indonesia and Malaysia, where the palm oil industry is linked to major issues such as deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, animal cruelty and human rights abuses.

Large-scale deforestation linked to unsustainable palm oil practices is pushing many species to extinction. Animal species worldwide that are connected to your favorite Zoo animals - including Asian elephants Savannah and Juno, Sumatran orangutans Ibu, Khaleesi and Butch, and Malayan tigers Seri, Belahat, Melor - could go extinct in the wild if nothing changes and the palm oil industry continues its current practices.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Be a consumer conservationist: Conservation is people. Sustainable agriculture is the only way to stop the damage to the rainforest while helping farming communities.

• .       Only purchase certified sustainable palm oil products, or products that are palm oil free.

• .       Write to restaurants and companies and ask them to support certified sustainable palm oil and palm oil free products.

Visit the Zoo! When you come to visit or join as a Zoological Society member, you help us contribute to conservation efforts worldwide.

Candy with A CAUSE - Halloween 2015 Shopping List!

How your trick-or-treat candy can help orangutans worldwide!

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend more than 2.1 billion dollars on candy this Halloween, so this is the perfect opportunity to become a consumer conservationist with the El Paso Zoo. We take pride in creating opportunities to show our support and contributions to preserve our natural world!

Boo at the Zoo is El Paso’s largest and WILDEST trick-or-treat celebration! We are also excited to share the unique opportunity to present the fourth palm oil conscience Boo at the Zoo. This means we will only be handing out candy from brands using certified sustainable palm oil, or no palm oil. We are asking you to join us by only passing out certified sustainable palm oil candy too!

Palm oil is a type of edible vegetable oil derived from the palm fruit. As an ingredient, palm oil is found in at least four out of 10 food, candy or personal care products. This oil is produced from palm oil plantations that continue the practice of cutting down critical wildlife habitat to expand operations, mainly in Malaysia and Indonesia. More than 85 percent of all palm oil globally produced and exported is from Indonesia and Malaysia, where the palm oil industry is linked to major issues such as deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, animal cruelty and indigenous rights abuses.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, an area the equivalent size of 300 football fields of rainforest is cleared each hour to make way for palm oil production. This large-scale deforestation is pushing many species to extinction. Habitat loss and deforestation is the No. 1 threat to orangutans worldwide!

Many of the animal species like the ones at our Zoo – including Sumatran orangutans Ibu, Khaleesi and Butch, - could go extinct in the wild if nothing changes and the palm oil industry continues its current practices. Meanwhile, the world's consumption of palm oil is doubling every 10 years.

Helping orangutans is easy! 

1) Support a sustainably sourced and deforestation free palm oil industry as a consumer conservationist by only purchasing certified sustainable palm oil candy! Check this list of certified sustainable palm oil candy as you prepare for Boo at the Zoo and Halloween.


2) With our Boo at the Zoo candy sponsor Walmart, we are also challenging you to participate in ONEday Monday. By changing one palm oil product in your home to one that is certified palm oil free, you can help save the rainforest – and orangutans! We have also provided a list of names for palm oil and its derivatives so next time you’re shopping at Walmart, you can easily make the switch.


3) Also, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has an app to help as you shop for certified sustainable palm oil candy - and more! Available on IPhone and Android, you can download the app at http://www.cmzoo.org/index.php/palm-oil-app/.




So join us in consumer conservation … AND join us at Boo at the Zoo for Halloween fun for everyone at El Paso’s WILDEST trick-or-treat in town!

Boo at the Zoo is 10a.m. to 4 p.m. October 24th and 25th. All activities included with regular Zoo admission. First 2,000 kids each day get a FREE trick-or-treat bag …

We’ll be waiting for you … at the El Paso Zoo!

PALM OIL DERIVATIES:
arachamide mea

capric triglyceride

caprylic triglyceride

caprylyl glycol

cetyl alcohol

cocoa butter equivalent (CBE)

cocoa butter substitute (CBE)

elaeis guineensis

emulsifier (some can be palm oil derived)

epoxidized palm oil (UV cured coatings)

ethylene glycol monostearate

ethylhexyl palmitate

fatty alcohol sulphates

glyceryl stearate

isopropyl

isopropyl palmitate

mono-glycerides of fatty acids

myristoyl

octyl palmitate

oleyl betaine

palm kernel oil

palm oil

palm olein

palm stearine

palmitate

palmitoyl oxostearamide

palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3

peg-100 stearate

peptide complex

saponified elaeis guineensis

sls

sodium lauryl

sodium lauryl sulphate

sodium lauryl sulfate

sodium lauryl sulfoacetate

sodium palm kernelate

sodium palmate

sodium stearate

sodium laureth sulfate

sodium laureth sulphate

sodium lauroyl lactylate

stearamidopropyl dimethylamine

steareth-2

steareth-20

steareth-21

stearic acid

vegetable oil

vitamin A palmitate

Dental Conservation

Though it’s too soon for Khaleesi to have teeth come in, the keepers at the El Paso Zoo are monitoring the baby’s dental development in order to contribute to worldwide conservation research! This is a perfect example of how Zoos contribute to worldwide conservation efforts.  On a daily basis using positive reinforcement training, the orangutan trainers will cue Ibu to present Khaleesi to them. This allows the keepers and trainers to examine Khaleesi up close.  Khaleesi is accustomed to the orangutan care staff and will allow them to examine her gums for any teeth that may be coming in. Again, at the moment, none are coming in. However, Khaleesi does appear to have healthy gums!

Dental observations help sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Indonesia and Asia, where deforestation and poaching have led to orphaned animals, estimate the age of the orphans.

When orangutans are observed in the wild or when they are orphaned in sanctuaries and rehabilitation facilities in South East Asia, the birth dates are usually unknown. Likewise, all current research indicates that cutting teeth – and when a baby starts teething – is less affected by environment than was previously believed. That means that zoo babies can be good models for tooth eruption in wild orangutans even though they grow up in different environments.

Only 1 out of 6 orphans are lucky enough to be rescued – more than 1,000 orphaned orangutans are living in rescue and rehabilitation centers. Orphans may have lost their mothers because of poaching, or the mother might have been killed from wandering into an encroaching palm oil or paper plantation. Poachers who kill the mother often illegally sell the orphaned infant orangutans as pets.

By helping conservationists come closer to gaging the age of the orphans, this information can help them better plan and prepare orangutans for release into the wild. Also, more correct and consistent age assignment will help build stronger cases for enforcement of existing laws that protect orangutans in areas suffering from deforestation, poaching and other threats.

•  Orangutans (and humans) only get one set of molars, but two sets of premolars.

• Orangutans have 20 baby teeth and 32 permanent adult teeth.

• Orangutan dental emergence, or teeth coming in, is markedly slower than in chimpanzees and more closely parallels humans.

Model Behavior

Have you brought your babies to see Ibu’s baby Khaleesi?

Ibu has been observed mimicking human mommy behavior! If you’ve been a new mommy, maybe you’ve looked to your friends and colleagues (and blogs!) for tips and advice. 

Since the day Khaleesi was born, the orangutan keepers have spent many hours making daily observations of Ibu and Khaleesi to contribute orangutan conservation and research worldwide. As scientists, the keepers are documenting crucial information by taking pictures and notating the orangutan’s behavior in their observation logs. 

Keepers are observing Ibu modeling the same parental behavior as human mommies trying to care for their babies! On this day, Ibu intently watched as this mom held her baby close to the side of her body.  Ibu tried to mimic the same pose.

And if you’ve ever wrapped your baby or used a baby carrier, maybe you have felt just like an orangutan mom…your infant holding on to you – hands free!

Ibu and Khaleesi are now on exhibit all day Friday – Monday. Please note they do have access to their indoor living spaces and may not be immediately visible during that time.

New Hours! Come visit Mommy and baby Friday - Monday!

Mommy Ibu and  Baby Khaleesi are now on exhibit Friday - Monday all day! Stop by on the weekends and see the baby.

Daddy Butch will be on exhibit Tuesday - Thursday.

Please remember the orangutans have access to their indoor living spaces and many not be immediately visible.

that sweet Baby Face

Ibu is very attentive, as you can see in this moment the zookeepers captured between mommy and baby. On this particular day, she was being playful with Khaleesi.

Ibu checks her nearly four-month old's face to make sure she’s doing okay and is comfortable.  Mommy and daughter are making direct eye contact so Ibu can be sure Khaleesi is fine with her playful acts. Orangutan mothers and infants are just like human primates.  They will communicate verbally, as well as by subtle facial expressions.

Then, pressing her mouth to Khaleesi’s forehead, Ibu gages the baby’s temperature to make sure she’s not too hot. If you’re a mommy, maybe you remember just looking at your baby like this to make sure he or she was doing okay … or maybe you remember just bringing your little one in close for that sweet baby head smell. 

Sleep when the Baby Sleeps ...

If you’ve had a baby, you’ve heard this advice: sleep when the baby sleeps! But like all new mommies, you also have to EMBRACE THE NAP!

Just like Mommy!

It’s never too early to start thinking about your child’s education when you’re a parent … and Ibu is no exception!

Ibu brings Khaleesi to her training sessions and faces the infant toward the keepers. Training is designed to stimulate the animal’s physical and mental well-being and to help animals’ and animals care staff form trust-based bonds.

Ibu has a strong bond with her keepers, evidenced by her trusting them to cut Khaleesi’s umbilical cord when she was born on April 23, 2015. Now, she’s bringing Khaleesi with her to the morning and noon training sessions so Khaleesi can learn from mommy (and the trainers)!

Orangutan mommies are the caretakers and teachers of their young – babies learn everything from their moms, including how to eat, drink, potty-train, be independent, climb the right trees, travel through the trees, gather and use their own tools, how to be cautious of predator animals, and more.

Ibu positions Khaleesi on the orangutan climbing mesh to face her trainers. The trainers go through each verbal and hand cue- mommy first, then baby. Khaleesi cannot perform any of the training exercises like Ibu does just yet – because she is still an infant – but she’s observing, focusing and learning!

Khaleesi (and mommy Ibu allow the trainers to palpate baby’s limbs, tummy, mouth and gums. Training occurs twice daily so Khaleesi (and mommy Ibu too, since she’s very protective of her baby) are comfortable with routine checkups by the Zoo staff.

Though Khaleesi doesn’t have teeth yet, her gums are checked daily. Zoo staff is monitoring the baby’s dental development in order to contribute to worldwide conservation research. The research is helping to improve age estimations of orangutans observed in the wild and orphaned orangutans in rehabilitation facilities in South East Asia, whose dates of birth are usually unknown.

While Zoo staff needs to know when her teeth will start to break through for research, this also helps the Zoo make sure Khaleesi has healthy oral development.

Baby's first week on exhibit!

Here's the highlights from Khaleesi's first week on exhibit. 

Bonding with Daddy Butch

The keeper staff is working with Butch Ibu and baby on daddy introductions. Similarly to when Ibu and Butch first met, the introductions take place through a mesh partition.

Throughout these initial mommy and baby bonding days, Butch had access to see Ibu and Khaleesi, but the partition is the closest he physically has been to the two girls since the baby was born. Ibu loves showing off her baby – and showing Khaleesi to daddy Butch is no exception. Ibu holds the baby up to the mesh partition for Butch to see Khaleesi. Like their first introductions, Ibu is more assertive, while Butch remains shy in their partitioned meetings. Butch continues to watch mommy and baby daily.

While Ibu was first to touch Butch when they were first introduced through mesh, he was first to physically connect to her as they are reintroduced as parents. Ibu rested her fingers through the mesh, reaching toward Butch. He responded by gently resting his mouth to her hands. They stayed connected for a moment. As the introduction process continues, the orangutans grow closer - and get closer to being on exhibit together.  

ICYMI - Ibu and Khaleesi make their Zoo debut

Check out these photos from The El Paso Times and El Diario from their coverage of Ibu and Khaleesi's debut at the Zoo! 

Diana Carrillo/El Diario de El Paso

Diana Carrillo/El Diario de El Paso

RUBEN R. RAMIREZ—EL PASO TIMES

RUBEN R. RAMIREZ—EL PASO TIMES

RUBEN R. RAMIREZ—EL PASO TIMES

Come meet Baby Khaleesi!

Baby orangutan Khaleesi is ready to meet the El Paso community.

Khaleesi was born on April 23 at the El Paso Zoo to first-time parents Ibu and Butch. According to the birthing plan, Khaleesi and Ibu spent approximately four months bonding behind the scenes. This time allowed for Zoo keepers to observe both baby and mom to ensure they were doing well and baby was nursing. 

“The first few months are crucial for the baby and a first-time mom to bond,” said Griselda Martinez, Collections Supervisor. “This time is also extremely crucial for us to build the trusting bond with the baby that we already have built with Ibu. It further allowed us to put the mommy training we did with Ibu for two years prior to her pregnancy using the wood block and plush baby into action with her real baby.” 

In preparation for Khaleesi’s introduction to her new home, Zoo staff spent time baby-proofing the orangutan exhibit. Once the baby-proofing was completed, Ibu and Khaleesi spent a bit of time exploring the exhibit in private, with only Zoo staff around to allow them to get comfortable with the new surroundings. 

PLEASE NOTE: Ibu and Khaleesi are on exhibit from 9:30 a.m. to noon daily. However, they have access to their behind the scenes living spaces. Because they have access to these spaces, they may not be immediately visible. 

Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered worldwide. The birth of an orangutan is a huge milestone historic conservation achievement for the Zoo and our community, and an important contribution to the conservation of this endangered species

Baby Khaleesi touches grass for the first time

Five ways you can contribute to orangutan conservation on World Orangutan Day (and every day!)

1. Be a Consumer Conservationist 
Did you know Palm Oil deforestation is the No. 1 threat to orangutans worldwide? Be a consumer conservationist and know which products you use have palm oil. You can check food, cosmetic and toiletry labels and company websites for palm oil information and make sustainably sourced and no palm oil choices to help save orangutan habitats. Just by changing one palm oil product in your home, you help save orangutans! 

2. Visit Butch, Ibu and Khaleesi at the El Paso Zoo
At the El Paso Zoo, we advocate to end deforestation and decimation of orangutans and other species threatened by unsustainable palm oil harvesting practices. We also are on the forefront of saving the critically endangered orangutan population, both here in El Paso with the birth of Khaleesi, and in Indonesia, by putting boots on the ground to help with conservation efforts around the globe. The birth of a baby orangutan contributes to the biological diversity of a critically endangered species, while our worldwide efforts help sanctuaries and conservationists better protect wild orangutan populations. 

Dr. Vikki with veterinarian Dr. Iman and Area Manager Dhani from the Center for Orangutan Protection in Samarinda.

3. Share your savvy 
Use the hashtags #orangutanday and #palmoil when you share your support for orangutans on your social media sites. You can also share your support for your favorite palm-oil free and sustainably sourced palm oil products. Share your knowledge with your friends so we can all be consumer conservationists together and help save orangutan habitats! 

4. Become a Zoological Society Member 
Zoological Society memberships at the El Paso Zoo have many perks, and contributing to conservation is one of them! The Zoological Society has contributed more than $10,000 to orangutan conservation efforts using funds raised from its membership contributions. 

Mommy Ibu and baby Khaleesi on exhibit

5. Sign your support  
Sentiment without action does not effect change. Sign a petition protecting orangutan habitat or tweet, facebook or write your favorite brand and thank them for their sustainable palm oil practices or encourage them to take up sustainably-sourced palm oil. 

Everyone LOVES a Baby Face

Here's a sweet photo of Baby Khaleesi on her three-month birthday. This is her zoo keeper's favorite picture of the baby. 

Guess who is turning into a Thumb Sucker?

Soon after birth, baby orangutans learn to use their fingers to grip onto their mothers’ fur. An infant's grip is extremely firm, capable of supporting its own body weight with just their hands. At about one month old, the babies usually have learned how to sit upright and use their hands.

Baby Khaleesi is now sitting up, making observations and most recently, sucking her thumb !

Though the baby was more of a strawberry blond, she’s darkened to become more of a red-headed orangutan. Her limbs are still more strawberry though. Her fur is also growing longer.

The baby is small for her age, but is not unexpected. First, orangutans have a slow growth rate.  Also mommy Ibu is petite and daddy Butch is lean-built. The baby has started to grow into its head more, and is all arms, legs and … ears! Her prominent ears are so cute sticking out.

Mommy and baby have been sleeping through the night since baby was about two months old. At three months old, the happy baby only cries when she’s climbing up her climbing mesh and isn’t sure how to get back down.

Khaleesi  is awake about 80 percent of the time. Like her mommy, she’s bright-eyed and observant. The baby makes eye contact and responds to keepers talking. Proud mommy Ibu loves showing her baby to her keepers. 

Here you can see her fur changing over time: 

Step aside, Kim Kardashian – at three days old, baby Khaleesi had her “duckface kissy mouth pout” perfected. 

Two months later, Khaleesi was still rocking that pout. 

Conversations with Mommy

Playing is SERIOUS Primate Business

Khaleesi has begun exploring! The first item Khaleesi engaged was a cylindrical enrichment item.

Khaleesi reached down to touch the cylinder, which she rolled around like a ball. She also loves exploring paper bags, browse and shredded paper.

She’s a happy, bouncing baby. Khaleesi has begun to pull herself up on the orangutan climbing mesh and “bounce” on her knees, bending them as she bobs up and down.

As you can see, playing is hard work.

Baby Proofing Khaleesi's new HOME!

Childproofing your home is essential to keeping your baby safe. The El Paso Zoo staff has been hard at work baby proofing the orangutan exhibit for new parents Ibu and Butch!

Zoo keeper Tasha tests out the new tires swing during the “baby-proofing” of the orangutan exhibit. (She might be having too much fun to call it “work,” right?) Volunteer Susie donated this tire swing from Ibu’s baby registry. It is going to be so fun to watch Khaleesi swing on it!

If you’ve ever been a parent, you can probably remember identifying your home's hazards and making it a safe place to roam. Zoo staff has reconstructed much of the orangutan exhibit, making sure all the structures were baby-safe for Khaleesi.

Now that the exhibit is ready, the keepers have begun introducing Ibu and Khaleesi to baby’s new habitat.

You can still help mom and dad welcome Khaleesi with a gift from her registry at: http://babyli.st/ibu-and-butch

Ibu's keepers featured in El Paso Times

Ibu's keepers appeared in this El Paso Times article as part of National Zoo Keeper Week. 

Through positive reinforcement conditioning session, Asia Area Supervisor Rachel Alvarez and Collections Supervisor Griselda Martinez were able to visualize Ibu and Khaleesi after parturition. While Rachel gave verbal cues to Ibu to come to the keepers, Griselda was able to take a closer look at Khaleesi. When she and noticed the umbilicus and placenta were still attached and the chord was partially wrapped around the baby's neck, Griselda decided to offer help to Ibu. 

Griselda asked Ibu to bring the baby closer to the keeper. Rachel gave her the cues to bring both her and her newborn closer so Griselda could touch the chord.

Ibu complied with all the verbal cues from her mommy training. While Rachel was rewarding Ibu as part of her positive training reinforcement for complying and staying steady, Griselda was able to get the chord and placenta by cutting the chord and retrieving it through the mesh. 

The sweet story of their trust-based relationship and the hard work keepers do is retold here. 

El Paso Zoo to highlight its zookeepers' work

By David Hernandez
dahernandez@elpasotimes.com @D4VIDHernandez on Twitter

When the El Paso Zoo welcomed a baby girl Sumatran orangutan in April, supervisor Rachel Alvarez was one of two experienced orangutan zookeepers who helped cut the umbilical chord.

Zookeepers had prepared two years for a healthy pregnancy and birth, from training Ibu to urinate in a cup for a pregnancy testing to teaching the first-time mother to handle a stuffed baby animal. When Alvarez went in to work on the day baby Khaleesi was born, Ibu had just given birth.

All that was left to do was for Ibu to let the zookeepers cut the umbilical cord — and she did. Collections supervisor Griselda Martinez cut the chord while Alvarez helped attend to Ibu. Both keepers had known Ibu for many years.

PHOTO BY VICTOR CALZADA-EL PASO TIMES 

El Paso Zoo zookeeper Rachel Alvarez, an Asia-area supervisor, checked on a snake at the El Paso Zoo Friday.

"You could tell in her face she was bewildered, but she came to us trusting and knowing we weren't going to do anything that was bad or hurt her," said Alvarez, who has worked at the zoo in the Asia area for 15 years. "That trust that we saw in her eyes was very important to us. With all of the work that we put into it, that was such a rewarding moment when she trusted us to cut it off."

In recognition of the work zookeepers do, the El Paso Zoo for the first time will join the American Association of Zoo Keepers to celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week beginning today. The zoo will primarily engage on social media to honor and feature its zookeepers.

"This is something that really allows us as an organization to tell our community what our zookeepers do, and really to value our staff, to value what they do and why it's so important," said Karla Martinez El Paso Zoo Marking and Communications Coordinator.

Karla Martinez and zookeepers say there are many misconceptions about their job, particularly that, as Alvarez said, they just "sit around and play with cute animals."

Zookeepers complete a variety of tasks throughout the day, such as feeding animals, training them, providing medical treatment and cleaning exhibits. El Paso's 39 zookeepers are cross-trained to take care of different types of species, Alvarez said.

While it is not a requirement at the El Paso Zoo, many of the zookeepers have a degree in fields including biology, ecology and zoology.

An important part of a zookeeper's work is creating enrichment activities to bring out animals' natural behaviors.

"As zookeepers, we have to learn our animals," zookeeper Alisa Light said. "What are their natural behaviors? What would they do in the wild? And then how can we simulate that in the care of humans? Because we try to simulate it as closely as we can. A lot of it is research on our own time ... because you run out of time at the zoo."

Light recently built a mirror for a gray crowned crane, who engaged with it by seeing its reflection, tilting its head, and peeking around and behind the mirror.

"You do it to make the animals' life better," Light said.

While Khaleesi's birth was a rewarding experience, Alvarez had to let go of two animals she cared for this year. On two separate occasions, Alvarez, along with staff, decided to euthanize macaques who had health problems, including one that was her favorite.

"Right now, I still go in (her exhibit) and expect to see her, so it's very hard to do those things," Alvarez said. "But if we really love them, we do what's best for them."

Karla Martinez said she admires the work the zookeepers do and their professionalism.

"They work with these animals, and no matter how dangerous these animals are, they do what they do because they love these animals and they want to make sure they're OK," she said.

This spring the zoo began an initiative called "Meet the Keeper" to allow visitors to engage and learn from zookeepers. The program runs through August.

"Our mission is to make sure that people connect with these animals, and I think that (zookeepers) are part of allowing people to make that connection," Karla Martinez said.

Light said interacting with visitors is an opportunity for zookeepers, who constantly engage in conservation efforts, to educate them about different species.

"Opportunities to talk to a guest are always the times to connect with the guest or connect the guest with that animal," she said. "Education is always an opportunity we never let pass."

Khaleesi's birth, for example, was important for the Zoo because it contributed to conservation efforts of her endangered species.

The American Association of Zoo Keepers' El Paso Del Norte chapter, which is affiliated with El Paso's zoo, will hold a wine tasting event, dubbed Winos for Rhinos, on Friday, Aug. 14 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at New Mexico's Sunland Park Winery, 1769 Victory Lane, to raise money for conservation efforts to save the five endangered rhino species as part of the national organization's annual fundraising efforts. Members of the chapter are volunteers, most from El Paso's Zoo, such as Light, who is the chapter's president.

"Our zookeepers are not only making a difference locally ... they're making a difference regionally, nationally, globally with the work they do," Karla Martinez said. "We don't even have a rhino, but they're raising money for rhinos in the wild. With the orangutan that was born here, that made a huge difference to the conservation of orangutans in general. Our zookeepers are making an impact worldwide."

Alvarez, 45, said moments when an animal learns a new command, or show trust in her, like Ibu did, are what keep her working.

"To love and care for animals — that's what keeps me here," she said. "It's hard at times. Sometimes you get sore, you get tired, you get frustrated, but the love of the animals, what I do with the animals and for the animals is why I'm still a zookeeper."

More information on National Zoo Keeper Week:https://www.aazk.org/committee/national-zoo-keeper-week/

More information on Winos for Rhinos: mkt.com/el-paso-del-norte-aazk

David Hernandez may be reached at 546-6154.

Infant Developmental Stages

Orangutans have the longest infant development period of all the great apes. It is commonly divided into three stages.

Infant (0-3 Years)
- Soon after birth, infants learn to use their fingers to grip onto their mothers’ chests. An infant's grip is extremely firm, capable of supporting its own body weight with just their hands.
- Two weeks following birth, infants usually have learned how to sit upright and use its hands.
- Babies begin eating soft fruit, in addition to nursing, at around three months of age. Initially mothers help prepare the solid food by grinding it up with their teeth, then giving it to their young to chew.
- Around two years of age, infants transition from hanging onto their mother's chest to riding on their backs.

Juvenile (3-7 Years)
- Mothers begin to wean (transition from nursing to solid foods) their young as juveniles, around three to four years of age.
- Increasing independence leads juveniles to sometimes travel alone.
- Juveniles no longer share their mothers' night nests and begin building their own. The juveniles' nests remain close to their mothers and are often in the same tree.
- At around four years of age, juveniles begin to climb and search for their own food.

Adolescent (7-10 Years)
- Upon gaining independence from their mothers, adolescent orangutans will often travel widely before settling in a permanent home range. Males will travel further from their mother's home range than females, who often establish adjacent home ranges.
- Female adolescents often stay with their mothers longer than males. If the mother has another baby, the female adolescent often helps her mother care for the infant, learning maternal behaviors.
- Females are considered adults with the birth of their first infant. This usually takes place beginning between 14 and 16 years of age. Males are considered adults with the emergence of cheek pads, a throat pouch, and a developed long call. This usually takes place as late as 19 or 20 years of age.

Introducing ... Khaleesi!

New daddy Butch celebrated Father’s Day Sunday June 21, 2015 when he selected the baby orangutan’s name during an enrichment activity. Animal enrichment is provided to animals to provide mental and physical stimulation in their daily lives. Without a doubt, the animals enjoy cooling down with ice pop treats, and this activity provides a fun and unique experience for them and Zoo visitors.

To welcome the newest addition to the orangutan family, people may donate needed items from the baby registry list at https://babyli.st/ibu-and-butch or www.elpasozoo.org/babyshower.

The orangutan keepers chose four of their favorite names after the baby was born April 23. After a community vote, the Zoo has narrowed the baby names down to the top two. The top two baby names were:

-  Moki: Ancient Southwest Pueblo, meaning step (as in a positive step for orangutan conservation)

-  Khaleesi: meaning queen (from the fictional Dothraki language in the “Game of Thrones” series) 

It’s a BABY Shower!

Celebrate Mother’s Day with El Paso’s newest animal mommy

EL PASO, Texas – The community is invited to celebrate the El Paso Zoo’s newest animal mommy with their mommies on Mother’s Day.

The El Paso Zoo will shower orangutan mom Ibu and dad Butch with love from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, 2015. The shower will include games, interactive booths, special animal enrichment, and more. Butch will be on exhibit during the shower. Ibu and their baby, born at the zoo on April 23, will not be on exhibit to allow mom and baby more time to bond. Visitors will get to see exclusive photos of the pair on Sunday.

Members of the community will be able to vote for their favorite name for Ibu and Butch’s baby at the shower. Ibu's keepers have chosen four of their favorite names. They are asking for the community's help to narrow it down to the top two names. The selected baby names are:

•  Pohon: Indonesian, meaning tree
•  Eko: Indonesian, meaning first born
•  Moki: Ancient Southwest Pueblo, meaning step (as in a positive step for orangutan conservation)
• Khaleesi: Meaning queen (from the fictional Dorhraki language in the “Game of Thrones” series)

The lions, elephants, meerkats, sun bear and spider monkeys will also be voting on baby names using pinata enrichment at Sunday’s shower. Animal enrichment is provided to animals to provide mental and physical stimulation in their daily lives. Community members who cannot attend the Mother’s Day shower will be able to vote at elpasozoo.org/babyshower beginning May 11. On Father’s Day, Butch will pick between the top two vote-getters.

Baby orangutans are completely dependent on their mothers until they are about 8 years old, so this is a crucial time for Ibu and her baby. Ibu and their baby, born at the zoo on April 23, will not be on exhibit to allow mom and baby more time to bond. Visitors will get to see exclusive photos of the pair on Sunday.

To help celebrate the newest addition to the orangutan family, people may donate needed items from the baby registry list at https://babyli.st/ibu-and-butch or www.elpasozoo.org/babyshower.

Ibu’s Baby Shower is being held in conjunction with the international M.O.M. (Missing Orangutan Mothers) event. The birth of a Sumatran orangutan at the El Paso Zoo could be one of the most important conservation achievements in the history of the Zoo. The El Paso Zoo has focused on Sumatran orangutan conservation efforts with support from the El Paso Zoological Society Conservation Fund for more than 10 years. This includes supporting programs in Indonesia that rescue and relocate hundreds of injured, orphaned and displaced orangutans.

Locally recognized as the Best Place to Take the Kiddos, the El Paso Zoo sits on 35 acres of fun and adventure. Bigger and better than ever, the El Paso Zoo is an expansive green space that is home to exotic animals from around the world and features family attractions such as the African Star train, the Hunt Family Desert Spring, and the Foster Tree House Playground. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), the El Paso Zoo celebrates the value of animals and natural resources and creates opportunities for people to rediscover their connection to nature.