Ohio’s Toledo Zoo has an adorable new addition: a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan named Wakil. Born on July 23, Wakil  (Wah-keel), whose name means “spokesman” in Indonesian, will serve as an ambassador for his species, which is under threat from deforestation and hunting.

Supported by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) orangutan Species Survival Program (SSP), the new birth and is an important one for orangutan conservation. Zoos from around the country cooperate through the SSP to help ensure a future for many species, including orangutans.

Born to parents Yaz (37) and Boomer (25), Wakil has been placed in a separate enclosure with his mom for the time being in order to promote bonding and eliminate any distractions. This is Yaz’s eighth offspring (the fourth for father Boomer) and the experienced mom is showing strong maternal instincts.

“It is really exciting to see what a great mom Yaz is being. This was a very important breeding for the orangutan SSP population, as its success helps extend the very genetically valuable bloodlines of Yaz and Boomer while also the population of a critically endangered species,” says Dr Randi Meyerson, assistant director of animal programmes at the zoo.

Visitors can see baby and mother indoors at the Zoo’s Kingdom of the Apes.