Video captures mother orangutan giving birth and then proudly displaying baby to the camera

The Durell Wildlife Conservation Trust had a lot to celebrate in 2013 because one of the most endangered animal species has welcomed a new baby into the world. Dana, a 25-year-old Sumatran orangutan, had a baby, and it was the first time that workers with animals captured such an event on video.

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The miracle of birth will forever amaze us, as it is the way we all begin our lives. Watching the way animals care for their babies reminds us that a mother-child bond knows no limits.

Not only are Sumatran Orangutans in danger of extinction, but the baby is Dana’s first surviving infant.

Dana, a loving mom orangutan, has been pregnant before.

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In 2009, she suffered health complications and almost died. The baby was stillborn, and scientists thought that Dana would not conceive again due to blocked fallopian tubes.

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However, Neil MacLachlan, the Head Obstetrician at Jersey General Hospital, performed successful surgery on Dana and gave her another opportunity to become a mother.

Dagu, Dana’s 28-year-old dominant male, welcomed the baby girl with a lot of excitement.

All eyes were on Dana. Quite literally. The Durell Staff mounted the camera in Dana’s room to monitor the whole process and assist if something goes wrong.

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Luckily, Dana was able to give birth on her own, and the footage is quite breathtaking.

One of the most endangered great apes was finally given the gift of motherhood.

Soon after the baby came into the world, she started to cry, and her mom proceeds to clean the baby girl.

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Dana removes the amniotic sac, and t’s fascinating how she knew that she had to clean the baby’s airways. Given that this was her first childbirth, we were taken aback by how professionally Dana behaved. We’d say that she’s got some sort f a medical degree.

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Father Dagu is calling for his family in the background.

Just listen to Dagu’s screams and calls in the background. All families are the same, proud parents and a happy child.

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Dana then brings the baby closer to the glass, as if she knew that everyone from Durell was watching her. She felt very proud of her baby, and she wanted the world to know it.

KeaJaiban means “a miracle” in Indonesian.

Employees at Durell center decided to call the baby KeaJaiban, or Kea for short.

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The baby is miraculous in so many ways, and her name is well-deserved. It is estimated that there are only about 6,000 Sumatran Orangutans left. Kea is a symbol of survival and hope.

Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of palm oil.

Sumatran Orangutans, and numerous other animal species, are in danger of extinction for various reasons.

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First, there are hunting and collection, but there’s also the loss of ecosystems and the water resources loss.

Indonesian law protects orangutans, but they still get haunted and killed a lot more than you would imagine

Dr. Ian Singleton runs a program called “refugees of the lost rainforest,” and it’s the only rehabilitation program for orangutans. He said: “There was one Orangutan – Matahari her name was – she had been beaten unconscious, they put a chain around her neck and she was almost dead. Her whole body was swollen, fingers missing, chopped off.” The story is an excellent reminder of how vicious humans can be.

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The video of Dana giving birth to a baby miracle has received almost 5 million views

We are more than lucky that Dana got the baby she wanted so much. Let’s hope that the baby will have a long, happy life and that no other orangutan will ever get hurt again.

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Source: Durrell; BBC; Air; Shareably; YouTube/Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

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