Topeka orangutan fighting for life after C-section

TOPEKA, Kan. - A 30-year-old orangutan is in critical condition Friday night after its fetus died during pregnancy.

Veterinarians at the Topeka Zoo had been monitoring the first pregnancy of Lena the orangutan since December, when an ultra sound came back normal.

However, zoo staff noticed chances in eating habits of the animal earlier this week and performed a second ultrasound at about 12:30 p.m. Friday, which discovered the fetus had no heartbeat.

Fearing for the safety of the mother, veterinarians elected for an emergency Caesarean section Friday afternoon. Zoo officials are guarded about Lena’s prognosis during the next 24 hours.

The animal is best known at the zoo for blowing kisses to zoo visitors.