Zoo expecting bundle of furry joy

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Someone at the Albuquerque BioPark zoo is expecting to the surprise of zookeepers.

Sarah the orangutan at the Albuquerque BioPark zoo is pregnant.

The animal-care team says the baby orangutan is expected sometime in the next three months.

They say Sarah had been on birth control and her surprise pregnancy makes calculating a precise due date impossible.

Ultrasounds suggest she is around five months.

The average gestation for orangutans is seven months.

Sarah is the mother of Reese, who was born at the zoo four years ago.

"We are cautiously optimistic that Reese will be a big sister soon," primate supervisor Debbie Wiese said in a statement released by the zoo. "We're excited and hoping for the best, but unforeseen complications are always possible.

"Last time, Sarah had twins, a very rare occurrence for orangutans. Reese was born healthy, but the other baby died shortly after birth. This time, the ultrasound shows a single baby, and we're keeping an extra close eye on Sarah."

Weekly updates on Sarah's progress are being posted on the BioPark orangutan page .