Hello! My name is ______!

Thanks to the public's support, almost 10,000 individuals participated in ‪@AudubonInstitute‬ Audubon Zoo's orangutan infant naming poll. ICYMI The Zoo went live with a naming reveal this morning!
Audubon Zoo is thrilled to announce that its critically endangered Sumatran orangutan infant born on December 24, 2021, has been named Roux. This announcement was made today during a Facebook LIVE on the Zoo’s Facebook page.
“We are grateful to the community for helping us pick a name and extremely overwhelmed by the nearly 10K total votes that were cast,” said Audubon Zoo’s Curator of Primates Liz Wilson. “Our team feels that Roux perfectly fits the newest member of our orangutan family and loves that it pays homage to his New Orleans roots.”
The Zoo's dedicated orangutan care team narrowed their selection of names for the infant down to their top three favorites and asked the public to choose the winner. The following were the names voted on:
Rudy - short for Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer in honor of the infant's December 24 birthday and the name of Notre Dame football's famous underdog who beat the odds
Roux - French for a reddish brown like the color of an orangutan's fur and the thickening base used to make gumbo
Maymuun - a name meaning fortunate, blessed, or one who thrives in Sumatra, the native habitat of Sumatran orangutans
Roux continues to gain weight and has begun daily visual introductions with the rest of the orangutan group at the Zoo. His care team is also giving him more exercise opportunities to encourage him to build up stamina and grip strength.
His care team is still determining a timeframe for reintroducing him to his mother, Menari, based on his continued improvements. They continue to work closely with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Orangutan Species Survival Plan advisors and Children's Hospital New Orleans on next steps for the infant.
Roux’s father, Jambi, has sired Feliz’s infant, Bulan, in 2019 and Reese’s infant, Madu, in February 2021 since joining Audubon Zoo’s orangutan group from Germany’s Hannover Zoo in 2018. Jambi’s move from Germany to the U.S. and into the AZA Sumatran orangutan population has added vital genetic diversity of the species.
Maintaining a genetically diverse population in human care is important because Sumatran orangutans have been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “critically endangered” and therefore threatened with extinction in our lifetime-there are fewer than 14,000 living in the wild and their numbers are declining, mainly because of human-wildlife conflict due to the spread of palm oil plantations into their forest habitat.
The orangutan group at the Zoo serves as ambassadors for their species, teaching guests about the plight of Sumatran orangutans in the wild due to human-wildlife conflict. Audubon is committed to helping create experiences that spark action and empower visitors to impact nature and wildlife for the better.
“Using the right materials and avoiding the wrong ones can help deforestation and habitat loss,” said Wilson. “Simply buying sustainable palm oil products can help orangutans from losing their habitats.”
To learn more about sustainable choices to help save wildlife, visit: action.audubon...

[@carolynnanderson1914]

Little Roux is not at all shy about letting everyone know he's ready for some milk! Thank you for taking such lovely care of this boy. Over the past few years of watching videos, the Orangs have become precious to me; we have to make sure they're kept from going extinct. I really appreciate the efforts you're making to help keep them around.

[@HoiaPolloia]

I missed the explanation about why Roux isn't being nursed by his mother.

[@Kim-lc3fv]

I think he wants his bottle! 🙂🍼

[@judithbourne5130]

Roux is so adorable. I’ve always loved Orangutans….my favourite primate. Hands Down!

[@FoggyDay196]

Oh my, his little squeaks took hold of my heart. I can tell he’s a tiny fighter! Roux is a very apropos name. I dearly adore orangutans. There’s just something gentle, funny, and special about them and their individual personalities. ❤️

[@ZooBorns]

🦧

[@newfee1967]

Roux seems agitated a little.😪 was he do for a feeding? He is adorable 😍 ❤

[@PrimateProductions]

That must have been what was up because that was definitely an unhappy cry for a baby orangutan. Seems silly they woukd not have arranged this around his feeding time. He was definitely very agitated and unhappy!

[@letolethe3344]

His tiny little noises!

[@julieh9679]

He is so cute and hungry!

[@ZooBorns]

🦧

[@maryegarrett1950]

I love how adorable Roux decided to chime in on the conversation. He had just about had enough and was going to show his feisty side. Really cute! I love his name as well, it’s a good one.

[@ZooBorns]

😆

[@niecyh2313]

I just want to hold him and other babies. How can I volunteer for a week? I would fly down there. He is just too darn adorable. My twin nickname is roo roo.

[@chrisflood8458]

Oh my goodness! Those little noises he makes are so sweet. It's so nice to see that he's being taken such good care of. It's also so wonderful that he's going to be returned to his mom and not being hand reared because his mom was killed for the illegal pet trade.

[@Liz_678]

What a sweetheart 🥰. Thanks to the keepers for taking such good care of Roux👏🏻👏🏻❤️

[@terryford7459]

My name is BUTTONS!!! cause he's cute as a button!!!

[@alinae75]

Thank you for sharing - little Roux really is progressing very well and his name definitely fits him💖💖💖

[@niecyh2313]

Ughhh you just had to reveal it in the comments. You’re the first comment I see.

[@alinae75]

@@niecyh2313 Sorry for the spoiler!

[@niecyh2313]

@@alinae75 It’s ok ma’am. I forgot all about this. I hope your weekend is going well. 😀

[@shellieroux3013]

Roux is great for the little guy.

[@terryford7459]

Did his mom reject him??

[@jennifer294]

Roux perfect name, He was tired of hearing you guys talk so he's like hey look at me I'm ready for my bottle😂❤

[@av8tore71]

So beautiful 🥰🥰

[@eliseh.7474]

😍 Aw, those cute little squeaky vocalizations! Happy life little Roux.

[@ZooBorns]

🦧 😍

[@heatherrose2462]

Omg! So precious and I love his little squeaks.

[@ZooBorns]

🦧

[@rizalinamaiorana1113]

Very cute!

[@mogamonte]

Y SU MAMÁ?

[@tatertott2390]

Why cant his mum just keep her baby???

[@lacieglaab5899]

Those noises 😫 so freaking adorable!!!🥰🥰🥰

[@ZooBorns]

💕

[@PrimateProductions]

Yeah because it is always adorable when something is letting you know he is very unhappy, agitated and stressed...

[@jimterryh1983]

FEED ROUX❤️

[@kristidavis9945]

That precious little angel Roux welcome! I just love this angel. Also why didn’t y’all have him a bottle on the ready that baby was hungry and he was letting everyone know. Hehehe he looks like he will be a spunky little guy.

[@ZooBorns]

Just guessing but they may be still needing to monitor feedings by the oz. And we just happened to see this 4 minute period in between scheduled feeds.

[@PrimateProductions]

​@@ZooBornswhat?? That makes no sense at all

[@bettythompson7177]

Awwwww so cute ❤️

[@ZooBorns]

♥️

[@franciscojaviergimenezdelm8057]

Lo que tiene que hacer eso es trepar árboles y buscarse frutas

[@ZombieQueen819]

How handsome,,, I love him already..

[@ZooBorns]

🥰

[@ИринаГорская-ж8у]

Ну хоть бы обняли крошку.. 😕

[@obviouslyurnotagolfer148]

I'm a chef. I love little Roux, what a great name. Good job everyone! 🎉🙏🥳😍

[@Ivan-oi8un]

So adorable!! He's a bit grumpy, I think he might need some more food. Cute video.

[@txbuff18]

Feed that baby! Lol He is crying because hes searching but cant find a nipple anywhere on imposter mother fur blanket thing lol

[@loutondacoast]

I would have called him Busy Bee !

[@ZooBorns]

🐝

[@michelemarie2568]

Though I would so much prefer he be in the rain forest with mom, am thankful for his birth and your taking care of his mom -- hoping he can someday know the environment he so deserves.

[@1whitkat]

Can anyone tell me what it means for him to be out of his diaper? Also those little noises he makes went straight to my heart. I wanted to snuggle him up and love on him

[@luzmartinez6888]

Es precioso ese bebé🦧🦧🦧🦧🦧😘😘🤗🤗

[@luvcats120]

Very nice video….too bad it had to be done with the keepers wearing masks…difficult to hear some of the information and, in my opinion, it wasn’t necessary….no one is required to agree with me….🙂

[@awillis244]

Put your cc (close caption) on so you can read along as the person is talking.

[@luvcats120]

@@awillis244 Yes, I’m familiar with this feature and use it often.

[@franciscojaviergimenezdelm8057]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Charlibr0wn]

I love this little baby so much, he's so cute 😍

[@gritskennedy5007]

Orangutan newborns and infants suckle all day long not just scheduled times so offering frequent opportunities to nurse on a bottle of milk is appropriate. You have an obligation and duty to provide reasonable artificial simulation esp regarding the frequent open feeding of very young contained animals separated from mother who would normally provide sustenance.

[@jonaswhite5842]

Solid point

[@debrapapen]

Alice

[@ZooBorns]

🦧

[@lizprice4351]

Bomboo

[@ZooBorns]

🦧

[@salmakadiri2349]

Adorable squeaky royx.

[@Games12359]

Shut up, baby needs its milk!!!

[@jaunabeeks3572]

He's crying! Poor baby.

[@elizabethstops2362]

Baby wants to eat 😋

[@Ericah81]

Why is he not with his mother??

[@stephenhassol6960]

He looks like a lil George 🤣

[@Gemmaxmommie]

Where is this place??

[@renioliveira8]

May name os Rhaj.

[@mariateresasalvador3257]

I name him miracle

[@shirleyhyland4308]

Why is he crying?

[@todddickie4729]

He's hungry

[@kathleengallegos420]

You all arrs doing amazing jobs. Ty. And ty for postihf

[@ZooBorns]

🙏🦧

[@sandraswift3489]

Where's mum

[@kanokratuthairangsee1934]

He is so cute

[@scottjackson3940]

Slim Shady

[@kellieharrod4474]

zipper

[@samanthalightworker7955]

Why is no one answering the question of WHY he isn't with his mother??

[@ZooBorns]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6Wme3uGZtedr9U He has since been reunited with Menari, his mother.

[@debrarudolph8911]

Oliver

[@michelletatum2896]

Zoomy

[@normacotter3377]

He is so precious and beautiful I love to hear him talking

[@ZooBorns]

🦧

[@kathleengallegos420]

Oh. Beutiful. Roux . hes so. Swedt n strrong

[@ZooBorns]

🦧

[@ShortStax65]

I love

[@llarcher4558]

1st, thank you for working so hard! 2nd, Please someone there, comfort that little guy! 3rd, thank you again!

[@maxp5994]

That's how I look the morning after drinking like I'm 20.. Completely helpless and calling for mom 😅 Little Roux is a sweetie 🥰 good luck!

[@livinglife1135]

He’s so cute! I think he doesn’t like the vet. Probably thinks, “this guy always lifts me just as I’m getting comfortable.”

[@EmmaDee]

Do you guys fight over who gets to hold him??? I’d be volunteering to hold him all I could.

[@secretariatgirl4249]

Oh, he is so precious!

[@ZooBorns]

🦧♥️

[@gritskennedy5007]

Little boy is very hungry...

[@kathyrobertson4493]

How sweet. Feed that baby!😇

[@cas6227]

Precious just precious

[@gritskennedy5007]

He is crying for food. The oo oo oo oo chirp is hunger and the fuss afterward the long cry is letting you know how hungry he is.

[@sheilawilson9992]

Roux is such a great name. A little French, Latin, Irish and they all mean a form of red. I think that's pretty amazing. Great job naming him guys!! I remember the 1st interview, she said they would be working with him on vocalization. He's proven he's mastered that one LOL I think he's a little HANGRY. The longer they talked the louder his sqeaks got. Almost a gruffy squeak like I'm hungry NOW!! just like so many other commentors on here Orangs are my favorite primate too. Just everything about them I love. One of my favorite things is shortly after they're born is when their hair on their heads goes WILD. I enjoy that about them so much. I can't think of anything I don't like. No matter how rough of a day I've had, my orang videos cheer me up! I've really enjoyed your interviews so we can see his progress. He's looking Great! God bless you for all you do for them. 🌺⭐🌸⭐

[@vuki972]

Oh he is so delicious for snacks, look so yumi yumi yumi. I can eating hem the whole,roasted on spit or in barbecue. Or made good soup.

[@gritskennedy5007]

Hes hungry....

[@rosiepena8917]

That baby is not happy! I have never heard a baby orangutan cry like that before. He must be very hungry. I wish I could hold him! 😍

[@Jmacdonald2386]

Wow, this is literally the EXACT sound they make pretty much all of the time that they are not completely silent…

[@renez4198]

Why is he not with his mommy ,this is ridiculous ,humans are so ignorant and he is very hungry I'm sorry but taking them away is not rite ...we as humans do not know all

[@paulsonj72]

His mother was not producing enough milk so to keep him healthy he was separated from his mother. He has since been reunited with his mother