Zoo calls on Maury Povich to help with mystery orangutan paternity
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The father of a newborn orangutan at the Denver Zoo was a mystery to staff until they called in paternity test expert Maury Povich.
The veteran daytime talk show host, best known for telling surprised guests on his show “You are not the father” or “You are the father,” helped the zoo reveal the paternity of Siska, a 4-month-old Sumatran orangutan.
Ever since Siska was born in August, it’s been unclear whether her father was 30-year-old Berani or 16-year-old Jaya, the zoo posted on X.
On Monday, the zoo said it was finally time to settle the debate. “The DNA results are in, and we’re delighted to share that we now know who Siska’s father is,” the zoo wrote on X. “Stay tuned tomorrow for this special announcement from an extra special guest.”
Cut to the following day, when the zoo shared a video of Povich wearing a tux and amping up the drama as he opens a manila envelope containing the test results.
“Now, we want to thank the Denver zoo for everything they do, but this … really is important,” Povich says in the video.
“When it comes to the orangutan, 4-month-old Siska … Berani, you ARE the father,” Povich exclaims as the video cuts to cheering zoo staff.
The zoo even mimicked Povich’s show, which ended after 31 years in 2022, by showing a split screen of Berani and Jaya’s photos as the audience cheered.
After Siska was born on Aug. 27 to first-time mom Eirina, it took a while for zookeepers to get close enough to pull a hair sample for the paternity test, spokesperson Jake Kubié told the Denver Post.
“When Siska was born, we did not know if it was either Berani or Jaya, who were both potential mates,” Kubié said. “We weren’t able to get close enough to the baby for a few months to get a hair sample because we do everything we can to leave mom and baby alone until we see that opportunity.”
Kubié contacted Povich’s team and set up the big reveal, adding, “It turns out they are really nice people and Maury was an amazing sport to do this for us.”
Povich, 84, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award just days before lending his expertise to the zoo. His show “Maury” ended last year after 31 years.
Siska is the Denver Zoo’s sixth orangutan and her birth was significant for the zoo as Sumatran orangutans are a critically endangered species.
The baby orangutan was named in honor of Dr. Fransiska Sulistyo, a renowned orangutan veterinary, conservationist and researcher.
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