Naples, Florida. September 3, 2023. For the first time in Naples Zoo's 50-year history, the Zoo welcomed critically endangered Bornean orangutans.This orangutan family of four came to Naples Zoo from ZooTampa at Lowry Park.
Photo courtesy of Naples Zoo
Deedee
DeeDee is the oldest member of the family at 43 years old. She is the mother of 15-year-old, RanDee, and 5-year-old, Dira. DeeDee is also a grandmother to RanDee’s son, 2-year-old, Riplee. Each individual has a unique personality, and all are wonderful ambassadors for their species.
"We are thrilled to welcome orangutans to Naples Zoo and to contribute to the global efforts to conserve Bornean orangutans," said Jack Mulvena, President and CEO, Naples Zoo. "Through our dedicated conservation programs and educational initiatives, we hope to raise awareness about the critical importance of protecting these incredible animals and their habitats."
“Although we'll miss DeeDee and her family immensely, we're excited for their next adventure and we know they'll enjoy their new home at the Naples Zoo,” said Chris Massaro, Senior VP, Zoological Operations. “With one of the largest orangutan groups in the country ZooTampa is committed to continue its participation in the Species Survival Program, we have had 11 orangutans born at ZooTampa, and every birth is a sign of hope in our ongoing efforts to conserve this amazing endangered species.”
Visitors to Naples Zoo will have the opportunity to observe these fascinating creatures up close while learning about the challenges they face in the wild and the actions that can be taken to safeguard their future. Naples Zoo remains committed to fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for wildlife and encouraging visitors to be advocates for conservation.
Found in the forests of Indonesia and Malaysia, all species of orangutans have suffered from decreasing populations, making them critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This is largely due to deforestation by the palm oil industry. Palm oil is a vegetable oil that can be found in about half our packaged products from mascara to margarine. When it is grown unsustainably,
Photo courtesy of Naples Zoo
Randee and Ripley
new areas of forest are cut and burned, destroying the orangutan’s habitat. However, certified sustainable palm oil is grown by reusing the same land for production. Naples Zoo is a dues-paying member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, the organization dedicated to making certified sustainable palm oil the norm, and has promoted certified sustainable palm oil for the last decade.
Photo courtesy of Naples Zoo
Dira
As consumers, you hold the power for change! Supporting companies that use deforestation-free palm oil will hopefully encourage more companies to make the
change to sustainable production. Visit napleszoo.org/palmoil, to learn more and download the PalmOil Scan app on your smartphone. A quick scan of the barcode will show you which products use sustainable palm oil, allowing you to make informed decisions while you shop.
To celebrate the arrival of the Zoo’s orangutan family, they have 500 limited edition magnets that feature a photo of Deedee and Dira as a baby. These magnets are available for $10 each and all donations will go to the Naples Zoo Conservation Fund. Magnets will be mailed directly to you. To purchase your magnets before they are gone, click here.
Skip the line and purchase your Naples Zoo tickets here.