Orangutan named after former zookeeper

Image source, Paignton Zoo

Image caption, O锘縭angutan Ranbi was born in October
At a glance
  • Paignton Zoo has named a baby orangutan after a former keeper
  • R锘縜nbi is an anagram of zookeeper Brian Baxter's first name
  • T锘縣e zoo said naming the orangutan after him was a tribute to his passion for wildlife

A baby orangutan has been named after a former keeper at Paignton Zoo.

Brian Baxter worked at the zoo for 47 years before retiring in 2017.

When the orangutan was born on 24 October 2022, keepers wanted to make a tribute to Brian, who had passed away just over a month earlier.

The zoo said naming the Bornean orangutan Ranbi, an anagram of Brian, was a tribute to the keeper's "bright personality and passion for wildlife".

Image source, Paignton Zoo

Image caption, B锘縭ian Baxter was known for his bright personality and passion for wildlife

Anne Lunt, Ape Keeper at the zoo, said: "Brian played an important role at Paignton Zoo for many years.

"He saw female orangutan Chinta arrive at Paignton as a two-year-old from London Zoo, and he was still here when Chinta had her first born, Natalia.

"As he passed away so recently it seems only fitting that we should honour Brian鈥檚 legacy by naming Chinta鈥檚 second baby after him."