When primate keepers at the orangutan and siamang habitat arrived for work on November 12, 2018, they didn’t know they would have one more charge in their care. Ellie the siamang was quietly and calmly cradling a new infant. And not just any infant, but the smallest siamang the keepers had ever seen. Keepers kept a close eye on them, because this infant wasn’t as strong as she should have been. Fortunately, Ellie was an experienced and capable mother, and she did everything right to take care of her premature baby. However, keepers and veterinarians weren’t sure the tiny and helpless primate would survive.

To everyone’s relief, any potential problems resolved as the infant developed, and everyone was thrilled to celebrate her two-month milestone. She continued to grow into a strong, healthy youngster, and the animal care team gave all the credit to Ellie’s maternal skills. Keepers named the infant Selamat, and affectionately called her Sela. The name is an especially appropriate Malay word: its most common meaning is “congratulations,” but a lesser-used definition is “survivor.”

Sela certainly livened up the habitat that the siamangs and orangutans share—and she had another surprise in store. As she got older, she and Aisha, the youngest orangutan, became buddies. First they were curious about one another; then they started playing together; and finally they were BFFs—much to the delight of their adoring fans.