Singapore Zoo Welcomes Rare Sumatran Orangutan Birth Following Landmark Caesarean Procedure

Mandai Wildlife Group has announced the birth of Ayaan, a male Sumatran orangutan born at Singapore Zoo through a rare caesarean section following a high-risk pregnancy complicated by placenta praevia. Born on 18 March 2026 to 29-year-old mother Chomel, the successful procedure is believed to be the first documented case of its kind involving an orangutan where both mother and infant survived.

Ayaan, whose name means “blessing”, has spent the past two months bonding and recovering with Chomel in off exhibit care. The pair has since returned to the zoo’s orangutan exhibit, where visitors may now catch a glimpse of them.

The birth marks a major milestone for regional conservation efforts as Ayaan is the first offspring of Charlie, a 48-year-old Sumatran orangutan whose genetic profile is not represented within the managed population. The pairing between Charlie and Chomel was recommended under the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association Species Management Programme, a regional breeding initiative co coordinated by Mandai Wildlife Group to support the critically endangered species.

Despite multiple pairing attempts since 2018, the two orangutans did not conceive naturally, prompting the veterinary and animal care teams to explore assisted reproductive methods. Years of conditioning and trust building enabled Chomel to voluntarily participate in ultrasounds, blood draws and health checks, allowing the team to conduct extensive hormone profiling between 2021 and 2023 to better understand her reproductive cycle. Three artificial insemination attempts followed in May 2022, March 2023 and July 2025, with the third attempt resulting in a successful pregnancy.

The pregnancy progressed smoothly until January 2026, when Chomel experienced two episodes of significant vaginal bleeding. Veterinary assessments diagnosed placenta praevia, a condition where the placenta covers the birth canal, creating a high risk of severe bleeding and making natural delivery dangerous. The animal care team closely monitored Chomel around the clock while tracking the infant’s heartbeat through regular ultrasounds.

After careful planning and consultation with external veterinary surgical specialists and human obstetric and neonatal experts, the team scheduled a caesarean section for March 2026, close to the expected full term of the pregnancy. Caesarean deliveries in orangutans remain exceptionally rare, with only around a dozen documented cases in the United States over the past two decades. Cases involving placenta praevia in orangutans under human care are even rarer.

Preparation for the operation took two months and included identifying a compatible blood donor in case of haemorrhage during surgery. Chomel’s cousin and foster daughter, also named Ah Meng, was found to be a blood match and donated blood ahead of the operation.

On 18 March 2026, 233 days into the pregnancy, Mandai Wildlife Group’s veterinary team performed the surgery alongside an external veterinary surgical specialist, while human medical experts provided live consultation throughout the procedure due to the close anatomical similarities between humans and orangutans. Ayaan was successfully delivered after 20 minutes and immediately transferred to a separate room for emergency stabilisation after showing low oxygen levels, a slow heart rate and low body temperature. The medical team worked for seven minutes to stabilise the newborn before placing him in an incubator while Chomel recovered from anaesthesia.

Chomel quickly adapted to motherhood and began nursing Ayaan within 24 hours of the procedure. In an unexpected turn, she also became a surrogate nursing mother for another infant orangutan, Lio, born on 11 April 2026 to first time mother Niu Li. When Niu Li encountered difficulties nursing her newborn, the animal care team made the decision to place Lio with Chomel, who accepted and cared for him immediately alongside Ayaan.

To support Chomel and the infants during this period, the zoo has implemented a rotational exhibit schedule for the Sumatran orangutans. Chomel and the babies, together with Ah Meng and Niu Li, will appear in the exhibit from Thursday to Sunday and on public holidays, while Charlie and Riau will rotate into the exhibit from Monday to Wednesday.

Chomel herself is the granddaughter of the late Ah Meng, one of Singapore Zoo’s most iconic residents who became internationally recognised during her four decades at the zoo. Ayaan’s birth continues that family legacy while contributing to the long-term survival of the species.

Sumatran orangutans are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to threats including habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and human wildlife conflict. Managed breeding populations in accredited zoos play an increasingly important role in maintaining the species’ genetic diversity and long-term conservation prospects.

Ayaan has also been adopted by SMRT Corporation, whose support contributes to his ongoing care and Mandai Wildlife Group’s broader conservation initiatives.