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Critically Endangered Orangutan On Birth Control Now Pregnant At Australian Zoo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A critically endangered orangutan who was on birth control is now pregnant at a zoo in Australia.

The Adelaide Zoo announced that Karta, a 34-year-old Sumatran orangutan, is expecting a baby in mid-January.

Senior primate keeper Jodie Ellen said that Karta was on contraception at the time she got pregnant.

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"This wasn't a planned pregnancy, but nature intervened and we've proceeded with the pregnancy because Sumatran Orangutans are critically endangered in the wild and it is important we breed this species before they disappear from the planet forever," Ellen said.

However, since 1995, Karta has lost six infants shortly after birth. It is not known why each of those Orangutans died.

Complications at birth are not unusual for great apes.

"In 2011, we discovered Karta's anatomy might be the reason she has difficulties breastfeeding. In fact, Karta's sister at Denver Zoo experiences the same problems, with keepers having to supplement feed her infant in order for it to survive," Ellen said.

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Ellen added the zoo will do everything in its power to support Karta and help her feed the infant when it is born.

"We now feel positive that we are on the right track and understand why Karta has had so much trouble in the past and we are hopeful that, this time around, we can help Karta have the baby she so much deserves," Ellen said.

There are estimated to be less than 7,000 Sumatran and Bornean orangutans left in the wild.

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