A young orangutan was introduced to Vienna Zoo as part of efforts to boost its breeding programme.

The transfer of the nine-year-old primate from the Apenheul Zoo in the Netherlands was arranged in coordination with the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme, following the 2023 death of Vienna Zoo's nearly 50-year-old male orangutan.

After settling into his area, the young male was able to observe the resident females and their offspring from a safe distance.

A few days later, the first calm and peaceful interaction between the new male and the females occurred within the shared enclosure.

Zoo Director Dr Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck said: 'The dynamic within the group is very peaceful. The animals continually approach one another.'

The zoo hoped he would sire offspring in the coming years once the current young orangutans are fully weaned.

Though the young male still resembled the females in appearance, he was expected to develop the distinctive cheek pads and shaggy coat typical of adult males as he matured.

Zoological curator Dr Folko Balfanz added: 'In the wild, orangutans are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss.'

Vienna Zoo has supported the HUTAN project in Borneo since 2021. The initiative works to create corridors between fragmented forest areas, enabling wildlife to move freely and helping to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

Over five years of monitoring in the Keruak Wildlife Corridor has recorded around 120 species, demonstrating that reconnecting habitats is having a positive effect.