Denver's best dad is a Sumatran orangutan named Berani
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Berani is known as a fierce protector of his daughter, Cerah. Photo: Courtesy of the Denver Zoo
When Nias, a Sumatran orangutan at the Denver Zoo, died suddenly in her sleep from heart complications in 2020, her mate Berani swung into action to care for their then 2-year-old, Cerah.
Why it matters: The 31-year-old "Mr. Mom" has taken on a role unheard of for his critically endangered species. In the wild, raising offspring is the full responsibility of females.
What they're saying: "This doesn't happen," Denver zookeeper Cindy Cossaboon, who's worked with Sumatran orangutans for 25 years, tells us.
- "To have this male being the sole caregiver of this young female orangutan is just amazing," she says.
Flashback: Berani arrived at the Denver Zoo in 2017 from the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans with a reputation of being a "baby stealer," Cossaboon recounts. His records showed he had kidnapped his first baby for two weeks before reluctantly returning it to its mother.
- When Denver zookeepers took a closer look at his file, however, they realized he was actually trying to rescue the baby. The mother couldn't nurse and hadn't built a strong bond with the newborn.
- "We got so lucky" after Nias' death because Berani "had this natural caring disposition" from the start, Cossaboon says.
Zoom in: Cerah, who's now 6 years old, is deeply attached to and fiercely protected by her dad. He carries and comforts her. They snuggle during nap time, and he won't move until she wakes up.
- Normally at Cerah's age, orangutans will start sleeping in their own nests — but she still shares the same one with her dad every night.
- After her mother's death, Cerah "gained a lot of weight because Berani couldn't say 'no.' She could have whatever food she wanted," Cossaboon says.
What's next: Cerah will have to accept that Berani is slowly starting to build a relationship with his new baby, 9-month-old Siska.
- Siska was recently playing with Berani's foot, which sent Cerah into a "temper tantrum" until he consoled her, Cossaboon tells us.
- "She's definitely still his little kid."
