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Cleveland Zoo announces death of baby orangutan born this week

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CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced heartbreaking news on Saturday.

The baby Bornean orangutan was delivered at the zoo earlier this week and did not show any signs of life immediately after it was born, the zoo said.

Kera Wak, the mother, is being evaluated by zoo veterinarians and biologists who said she has not shown any ill effects from the birth.

Bornean orangutans are listed as critically endangered and have a declining population, the zoo said.

Kera Wak is also the mother of the zoo’s 5-year-old orangutan Merah. The zoo said she has been a “tremendous mother” to her over the years.

With the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, it expressed appreciation for the continued support of the community.

While the Zoo is currently closed, our Zoo team continues to do everything we can every day to care for the animals. We thank everyone for your support and we will continue to provide updates on all our animals here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

On Valentine's Day, the zoo revealed an orangutan at the zoo was pregnant in a Facebook post.

RELATED: The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo reveals ultrasound surprise