Utah’s Hogle Zoo is proud to announce Bornean orangutan Kawan (24) is expecting a baby in June. Hogle Zoo’s animal care and animal health teams closely monitor Kawan as she progresses through her eight-and-a-half-month pregnancy.

Kawan came to Hogle Zoo in 2021 from Henry Vilas Zoo on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP) with resident males Mia (35) and Tuah (10). With both males included in the recommendation, either Mia or Tuah could be the father. Once the baby is born, Hogle Zoo will confirm paternity through a blood test.

Known for their distinctive red fur, orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal, spending most of their time in trees. Orangutan youngsters stay with their mothers until about eight years old, the longest childhood of the great apes.

Found on the island of Borneo, Bornean orangutans are considered critically endangered. They are threatened by habitat loss and the non-sustainable palm oil trade, leading to a decline in their populations by more than 50% in the past 60 years. The community can download the Palm Oil Scan App to identify which products use sustainable palm oil and make orangutan friendly shopping choices.

— Utah’s Hogle Zoo

Rep. Maloy reintroduces bipartisan search and rescue bill

Rep. Celeste Maloy (UT-02) reintroduced the Public Land Search and Rescue Act in the 119th Congress on Friday. This legislation would establish a grant program to assist states with the costs of search and rescue activities on federal land under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Congressmen Blake Moore (UT-01), Burgess Owens (UT-04), and Mike Kennedy (UT-03) cosponsored the bill.

The program is intended to help with “remote search and rescue.” This includes any activity that utilizes, trains, or supports responders with specialized equipment to locate, assist, and remove to safety individuals who are lost, injured, stranded, or entrapped in remote areas as well as recover deceased individuals. Rural counties with low populations and high visitation numbers are burdened with frequent remote search-and-rescue operations despite low tax bases to cover the costs.

“Utah draws people from across the country with its one-of-a-kind recreational opportunities. Unfortunately, with most of our land federally managed, local sheriffs and towns are left to shoulder the costs of search and rescue operations without tax revenue to support them. This legislation ensures our first responders have the resources they need to keep up with the growing demand for search and rescue missions in Utah’s vast wilderness,” said Rep. Maloy.

The grants are awarded on a 75/25 cost-share basis, meaning the grant can cover up to 75% of equipment costs and the grantee will need to cover 25%. A cost-share ensures that the federal government is helping states and counties foot the bill for remote search-and-rescue operations on federal land, providing local law enforcement with much-needed relief.

— Office of U.S. Congresswoman Celeste Maloy

Utah gas prices drop to begin June

The summer driving season is underway, and while gas prices normally peak this time of year, Utah drivers are getting a reprieve. The average for a gallon of regular in Utah is $3.30, down a penny from last week. The national average is $3.14, down two cents from last week.

“In Utah, prices at the pumps are 23 cents cheaper than last June,” said John Treanor, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group. “That’s largely thanks to this year’s consistently low crude oil prices. Currently, oil supply in the market is outweighing demand. June gas prices haven’t been this low since 2021.”

Average fuel prices around the state:

• Logan: $3.21
• Ogden: $3.26
• Provo-Orem: $3.26
• Salt Lake City: $3.27
• St. George: $3.38

— AAA Utah

Utah House Majority Caucus elects new leadership members

The Utah House Majority Caucus held a special leadership election to replace Majority Leader Jefferson Moss, who resigned from the Legislature following his appointment to Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. The following representatives have been elected to the respective positions for the remainder of the 2025-2026 term:

• House Majority Leader — Rep. Casey Snider
• House Majority Whip — Rep. Candice Pierucci
• House Majority Assistant Whip — Rep. Bridger Bolinder

“I am honored to take on this role and grateful for the opportunity to serve,” said Rep. Snider. “Our leadership team is committed to serving the members of our caucus and the people of Utah with integrity and foresight as we continue to advance meaningful policy for the benefit of every Utahn.”

— Utah House of Representatives