Newborn orangutan twin dies at Taipei Zoo; sibling in critical condition

Taipei, July 2 (CNA) One of the newborn orangutan twins born at Taipei Zoo earlier this week died early Wednesday, while its sibling remained in critical condition in intensive care, according to the zoo.

In a press release issued Wednesday, the zoo said one of the twins began showing dramatic fluctuations in vital signs around noon Tuesday and developed severe respiratory distress.

Despite emergency treatment, the baby orangutan died at 12:38 a.m. Wednesday due to complications from premature birth and underdevelopment, the zoo said.

Its sibling, named Da Pao (大寶), is suffering from neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) because its underdeveloped lungs are not yet able to support normal breathing, the zoo said.

Veterinarians and other medical staff are monitoring the newborn orangutan around the clock, the zoo said, adding that Da Pao has been showing a strong will to survive.

Neonatologists from National Taiwan University Hospital are providing guidance on respiratory support, medication dosing, and physiological monitoring for Da Pao, the zoo said, also expressing thanks to the doctors for their efforts to save the other twin.

The twins were delivered Monday by cesarean section, as their mother Ke Yi (可乙) had been deemed to have a high-risk pregnancy, the zoo said in a press release on Monday to announce the birth of the two orangutans.

A natural delivery of twins would have posed significant risks to both the mother and babies, increasing the likelihood of dystocia, fetal distress and other pregnancy complications, the zoo said, explaining why the medical team opted for a cesarean section.

Orangutans are listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, the zoo noted.

In the wild, female orangutans typically give birth only once every six to eight years, and about 99 percent of pregnancies result in a single offspring, it said, adding that twin births are extremely rare even in captivity.