Oh my darling Clementine!

 

Clementine gets an ice treat, age 2 1/2. 

Little Bornean Orangutan Clementine made news with her birth 2 1/2 years ago, as the first orangutan born in the Columbus Zoo in 60 years. Named because she is small and sweet and also orange, Clementine is the daughter of Khali and Sulango. Her doting "auntie" (unrelated) Dumplin just turned an amazing 52 years old this month.

Clementine at 7 months, climbing the wall.
Her mother lets her explore but is close by. 

Clementine was born November 28, 2023 to first time mom Khali. Since young orangutans stay with their mothers for seven or eight years, a female orangutan will only have three or four children in her lifetime.  They have the longest childhood dependence of any animal except for humans.

Mama Khali guarding the baby so she doesn't fall. 

Orangutan mothers are nurturing and protective of their young, but other family members do help with raising the youngsters once they are past infancy. Auntie Dumplin is especially fond of baby Clementine and while it is good for Clementine to have such a good babysitter, it is also good for Dumplin, as the keepers say it has given the old lady a new lease on life. 

Baby Clementine in arms at 7 months.
They drink their mother's milk for up to eight years.

Clementine at 7 months, just starting to explore

 

Seven month old Clementine, curious but stays close to mom.

Now, in the summer of 2026, Clementine is a confident toddler, ready to take on the world, although she still runs back to Mom Khali on occasion. 

                                      Clementine and her mom now

A few weeks ago, the orangutans were given ice treats with apples frozen inside. Clementine scampered about, gathering up her snowballs. 

                                                Clementine and her treat

                Treat time for all. There were two ice balls for each.

At one point, Mom Khali came over to try to steal one of her daughter's ice treats, but Clementine would have none of that!

                                                Clementine guards her ice treats

                                   She notices an airplane overhead. Curious!

                                          

                                                       What does mom have?

                                                             Plenty for everyone

                                             Playtime for Clementine

Auntie Dumplin just turned 52 years old in July.  She helps tend to Clementine, but is also known for her weaving skills. The keepers give Dumplin strips of cloth to make works of art.

The Bornean Orangutans are found in the Australia / Islands part of the Columbus Zoo.