Como Zoo names its baby Sumatran orangutan Kemala
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Como Zoo in St. Paul has named its baby Sumatran orangutan.
After a public vote, zoo officials dubbed her Kemala, which means "magic stone" in the Bahasa Indonesia language.
Como Zoo had nominated three names: Aanjay, Cinta, and Kemala. The public was invited to vote for the name they liked best using their pennies. The name with the most pennies won. The zoo says Kemala was the clear choice.
The contest in total raised nearly $2,000.
Local businessman Johannes Marliem also presented a check for $10,000 to Como Friends, the nonprofit partner of the zoo, to offset the cost of veterinary and delivery costs for baby Kemala and her mother Markisa.
Kemala was born via cesarean section Jan. 7. Sumatran orangutans are listed as critically endangered.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.