Orangutan dies after giving birth at Adelaide Zoo

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Sumatran Orangutan named Karta died at Adelaide Zoo on Thursday
The 34-year-old died after giving birth to what is believed to be a stillborn
Exact cause of death will not be known until the zoo completes a post-mortem

By Peter Devlin For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 21:22 EST, 26 January 2017 | Updated: 21:25 EST, 26 January 2017

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Adelaide Zoo is mourning the loss of a Sumatran Orangutan named Karta who died giving birth to a stillborn.

The zoo said the 34-year-old went into labour on Thursday night and died just hours after giving birth to what is believed to be a stillborn baby.

'Everyone at Adelaide Zoo is deeply saddened by this loss, which marks a heartbreaking end to an unexpected pregnancy,' the zoo said on Friday.

Adelaide Zoo is mourning the loss of a Sumatran Orangutan named Karta (pictured) who died giving birth to a stillborn

The zoo said the 34-year-old (pictured) went into labour on Thursday night and died just hours after giving birth to what is believed to be a stillborn

The exact cause of death will not be known until the zoo completes a full post-mortem.

Zoos SA Chief Executive Elaine Bensted said losing Karta was like losing a family member.

'Our hearts are broken- it has been a very tough 12 hours for us,' Ms Bensted said.

'These life events are even more impactful and devastating when we are talking about a critically endangered species like the Sumatran Orangutan.'

Zoos SA Chief Executive Elaine Bensted said losing Karta was like losing a family member

Zoos SA Senior Veterinarian Dr Ian Smith said complications after birth are not unusual for Great Apes.

'Similar to humans, complications at birth or within a few days after birth are not unusual for Great Apes, however, unlike human births, there is less opportunity for medical intervention,' Ian said.

'Such interventions can also have potentially tragic consequences for the orangutan.

'We're all devastated by this heartbreaking loss.'