Another Rapid Rescue Mission – Another Orphaned Orangutan
On January 26, a joint team from BOS Foundation and Central Kalimantan BKSDA successfully rescued a 2.5-year-old orangutan weighing 3.3 kilograms, in Lapetan Village, Mantangai Sub-district, Kuala Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. It was reported that the baby orangutan was found in a nearby forest, stranded without his mother, during a storm two months prior. The villager who found him took him home to care for.
Unlike other rescues, this rescue involved our team from the BOS Foundation-Mawas Conservation Program, following a tipoff a Mawas staff member received about a local villager holding a baby orangutan captive. The information was relayed to the BOS Foundation team at Nyaru Menteng, who coordinated with the Central Kalimantan BKSDA to undertake a rescue mission. The remote location of the village and the need to action this mission quickly was aided by our Mawas team who initiated the pickup and handed the baby over to the BOSF Nyaru Menteng and Central Kalimantan BKSDA team. A veterinarian from our clinic at Nyaru Menteng accompanied the team to provide medical assistance.
An initial examination conducted by veterinarian Maryos V. Tandang found the baby weak, severely dehydrated and infected with worms. Our medical team quickly administered medication intravenously to give initial relief to the baby.
The baby orangutan being examined by vet Mariyos V. Tandang
After a few days of rest and treatment at the clinic, the baby’s health has started to improve. He has become more active, and will now accept food and drink. We are conducting further health tests, and 24-hour care to ensure he will recover from the pain and trauma of being separated from his mother. Once he passes all the required health tests, he can be moved to the Baby House quarantine facility where he will join Rachel and Alejandra.
