A tiny Bornean orangutan has been born at Chester Zoo, with heartwarming new pictures showing the baby with its mum Leia.
The arrival of the critically-endangered infant has been hailed as an ‘important step forward’ in the efforts to safeguard the species.
Photos shared today Chester Zoo show the new arrival clinging to its experienced mum Leia, looking – if we’re being honest – quite furious to be here.
But the infants adorably grumpy face is a huge moment for the zoo and the species, which is highly threatened due to deforestation, illegal hunting and conflict with people.
This ranks them as a species requiring the highest conservation priority, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
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Chris Yarwood, Assistant Team Manager of Primates at Chester Zoo, said: “Leia is a wonderful mum. She’s extremely attentive and has spent the first few days holding her baby close, feeding regularly and forming a really strong maternal bond. It’s a huge privilege to witness.
“The baby is still tiny and we haven’t yet been able to determine the sex – but what really matters is that it’s healthy and that Leia is doing a brilliant job, as we knew she would.
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“Any birth of a Bornean orangutan is incredibly special given how threatened the species is. It’s an important step forward for the international conservation breeding efforts that are working to prevent this iconic animal from disappearing forever.”
The tropical forests of Borneo – the only place on Earth where Bornean orangutans are found in the wild – have suffered devastating losses in recent decades, with more than 40% lost since the year 2000 due to unsustainable palm oil production, logging, agricultural expansion, poaching and illegal hunting.
Bornean orangutans are one of three orangutan species, all of which are critically endangered. Chester Zoo is the only zoo in the UK to care for two of them – the Sumatran and Bornean orangutan.
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As one of the planet’s closest living relatives to humans, they play a vital role in maintaining the health of their rainforest ecosystems.
Cat Barton, Policy Lead on Deforestation-free Commodities at Chester Zoo, added: “Chester Zoo has worked with partners in Borneo for more than 20 years to safeguard wild orangutan populations, restore rainforest habitats and tackle the root causes of deforestation.
“Through long-term initiatives like wildlife corridors, community engagement and reducing human-wildlife conflict, we’ve supported efforts that have now helped the area where we work – the Kinabatangan – earn recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This is a huge milestone for our partners at HUTAN and for global conservation.
“Closer to home, we continue to champion the use of sustainably sourced palm oil, encouraging individuals and businesses to make better choices that protect rainforests and the countless species that depend on them.
“With palm oil found in so many everyday products – from biscuits to shampoo – choosing certified sustainable options is one of the simplest, most powerful actions people can take to help wildlife, including orangutans like Leia’s baby.”
New images released of Etihad Stadium hotel The Medlock, as bookings open
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s newest hotel, The Medlock, will officially open its doors beside the Etihad Stadium later this year – and they’ve just revealed brand-new images of how things will look.
The new 401-room upscale hotel has unveiled new CGIs and opened up bookings, allowing people to book an overnight stay from as early as October 2026.
The Medlock, a Radisson Blu hotel, is set to open in partnership between Manchester City and Radisson Hotel Group.
And that’s not the only development happening over at the Etihad Campus – there are also plans to open a museum experience, restaurants, and loads more, all of which will be revealed throughout the coming year.
The name of the hotel is inspired by the River Medlock that runs beneath the area and connects it to the city centre.
Radisson Blu is designing the space to have nods to Manchester’s industrial heritage and unique Mancunian touches throughout.
The Medlock will feature a be a premium penthouse suite among its 401 guest rooms.
Rooms at The MedlockThe gym space at The MedlockNew CGIs of the hotel beside the Etihad Stadium
And guests will have on their doorsteps the Co-op Live arena, the Etihad Stadium, the Joie Stadium, and plenty more.
The hotel will be operated by industry-recognised hotel management company, Valor Hospitality.
Richard Pearson, General Manager of The Medlock, said: “Today marks a key milestone as we unveil The Medlock’s brand and full look and feel.
“Inspired by our location, the identity celebrates the character, energy and spirit of the place we call home: Manchester. With bookings officially open, it’s an exciting step as we move closer to opening later this year.”
Adela Cristea, Chief Development Officer UK, Ireland & Nordics at Radisson Hotel group, added: “It’s exciting to see the hotel progress and reach this important stage, with bookings now open for guests from October onwards.
“Together with Manchester City Football Club we are creating a global flagship property within a world-class destination which will offer an exceptional experience for visitors coming to the city for business, leisure and events.”
The booking system for The Medlock is now live and you can book a stay HERE.
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free bus travel to and from school
Emily Sergeant
Children who are currently living in temporary housing in Greater Manchester are set to get extra support with school travel.
In a move that was announced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at the end of last week, and following years of campaigning, homeless children living in temporary accommodation are now set to get free school travel on all Bee Network buses.
TfGM says it understands that some children end up a long way from their school when placed into temporary accommodation, and this leaves parents or carers with the difficult choice of either having to move them to a closer school, which ultimately disrupts their education, or having to pay unexpected travel costs.
While the Greater Manchester Strategy – which is the plan for the city region’s next decade – commits to reducing the number of families and children in temporary accommodation, and measures are also being taken to make sure residents have the support they need to ‘access, improve, and retain’ a decent, affordable home, this doesn’t tackle the immediate issue.
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free school bus travel / Credit: TfGM
So, to help those families when they ‘need it most’, free bus travel to and from school is set to be provided, as subject to approval of this year’s Combined Authority budget.
The move comes after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asked TfGM last year to look at options to help with the cost of travel.
“Using our locally-controlled Bee Network buses to support families when they need it most is the right thing to do,” Andy Burnham commented.
Of course, the long-term solution is no kids in TA and we’re working with our councils to achieve this in the next few years.
We can do it because GM will soon hit the point where we are building more council and social homes every year than we’re losing through right-to-buy. 👍🏻
“A move into temporary accommodation is often a massive upheaval for families and can be a worrying time. With this measure, the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about.
“It will mean parents and carers don’t have to choose between an extra demand on their household budget and keeping their children with friends and teachers they know and trust.”
Daisy Jackson -
24th October 2025 
