As Valentine’s Day fast approaches we’ve been part of yet another love story here at Colchester Zoo! You may remember back in July 2015 a short video of our orangutan Rajang interacting with expectant mother, Maisie, through the glass of his enclosure. Although this is not the first time Rajang has taken an interest in a baby bump, the video, filmed by her partner Jamie, went viral and even appeared on television in America and was shared by Ashton Kutcher!

A few months on and new parents Maisie and Jamie arrived at Colchester Zoo with their family and new born baby boy Charlie to take part in a Perfect Partners experience with Rajang himself! As well as getting to meet the star of their video, Jamie also used the moment to pop the special question!

With the help of staff here at the zoo he was able to surprise Maisie and, of course, she said YES!

Speaking about the special day Maisie said, ''The first time we met Rajang we were three weeks away from our son being born and experienced a magical moment where Rajang stroked my baby bump through his enclosure glass, we knew as soon as our baby boy was here we would come back with him to show Rajang. Jamie arranged for Perfect Partner experience for myself and him as my Christmas present and I was so excited to be up close and personal with Rajang and thoroughly enjoyed giving him fruit tea and some hidden treats, then for Jamie to ask me to marry him next to Rajang made it a truly special moment that I will always remember. Rajang will forever be a special animal to us all and we will continue to visit him at Colchester Zoo''

We’re so pleased to have been part of the happy couple’s day and would like to congratulate them on their engagement and wish them many more happy visits to the zoo as a family.