With nearly 10,000 votes cast and months of deliberation, Audubon Zoo has proudly announced the name of its critically endangered baby Sumatran orangutan: Roux.

The New Orleans Zoo welcomed Roux into the world on December 24 after a “bittersweet” birth, which her twin did not survive. Twin pregnancies for Sumatran orangutans are extremely rare and dangerous, and led to the surviving twin showing signs of weakness early on.

“He’s doing absolutely fantastic. Every day he’s getting stronger and stronger,” Kelsey Forbes, Audubon Zoo’s assistant primate curator, said in a statement. live stream friday disclose the child’s name.

Roux’s caretakers have shared additional details on his progress over the past three months, saying he now weighs around 5 1/2 pounds. Roux originally used a feeding tube because he couldn’t breastfeed properly, but guards said he now drinks from a bottle every day and is learning to use his grip strength.

Following the complicated birth on Christmas Eve, Roux’s mother, Menari, is now back with her family in their habitat and is doing well. Roux regularly walks outside and can see her every day in order to “maintain this very strong bond and connection,” Forbes said.

Keepers also said Roux’s family – especially his grandmother and the other baby orangutans – take a great interest in him and interact with him frequently by touching and smelling him, which is important for his life. development.

The animal staff discussed several options for a name, but landed on Roux because the primate team wanted to “capture our New Orleans roots.” Menari was also born in New Orleans.

“It suits him pretty well,” Forbes said, noting his reddish coat.

Roux’s keepers said that over the next month they will continue to work on endurance training by strengthening his grip and focusing on his ability to eat on his own.

“We hope a reintroduction with his family will take place soon,” Forbes said.