Fresno Chaffee Zoo Names Baby Orangutan Marigold
The four-week-old Sumatran orangutan made her public debut in the Kingdoms of Asia habitat with her mother, Negara.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Wildlife
Fresno Chaffee Zoo has named its four-week-old female Sumatran orangutan Marigold and revealed her public debut. She is exploring the Kingdoms of Asia habitat alongside her mother, Negara.
Why it matters
Sumatran orangutans are listed as critically endangered in their natural habitat on the IUCN Red List, making each new birth in managed care a meaningful contribution to the species. The zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan and the Saving Animals From Extinction program.
Marigold is a four-week-old female Sumatran orangutan and the first offspring of Negara and Busar, who has lived at Fresno Chaffee Zoo for 29 years. Zoo officials have not said how long the pair will remain on public view.
The players
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
A zoo in Fresno, California, that participates in national species conservation programs and is home to the Sumatran orangutan family featured in this story.
Negara
A Sumatran orangutan at Fresno Chaffee Zoo and the mother of the newborn Marigold.
Busar
A male Sumatran orangutan who has lived at Fresno Chaffee Zoo for 29 years and is the father of Marigold.
The details
Zoo officials named the youngster Marigold after the vibrant flower that symbolizes the sun. Visitors can look for the mother and daughter pair in the Kingdoms of Asia exhibit, and the zoo will continue posting updates on social media.
Timeline
Marigold was born four weeks before the November 2, 2026 announcement.
Marigold's name and public debut were announced on November 2, 2026.
Roadmap
Captive breeding of Sumatran orangutans is coordinated through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, which manages populations across accredited institutions. Marigold's birth at Fresno Chaffee Zoo adds to that managed population as the species remains critically endangered in the wild.
Fresno residents and visitors can see Marigold and Negara in the Kingdoms of Asia exhibit at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Following the zoo's social media channels is the way to get updates on the pair's activity.
The takeaway
Each captive birth supports a critically endangered species, so following zoo updates is a simple way to keep track of conservation progress. Visiting accredited zoos is one way the public can support these programs directly.
Further reading
Explore more about Wildlife to see how zoo animals and their conservation fit into the wider world of animal care.
