Update about Himba

Update about Himba

You may recall the note we sent around in October about baby Himba, who was rescued by a wood collector in Central Kalimantan. He had brought baby Himba to Nyaru Menteng in a small cardboard box.

On an old blanket inside the box, lay a dirty baby orangutan – lying in his own filth, absolutely helpless and clearly in excruciating pain. It was heartbreaking.

We were told that she tragically died in a fight with a wild dog, leaving her young son alone and vilnerable.

Nyaru Menteng immediately took the infant to the medical team, who took the baby to the clinic and immediately ran intensive health checks and named him Himba.

At the time, it was thought he was around six months old and weighed only 3.3 kg. Himba suffered from a high fever and serious burns to his hands, feet, head, neck, mouth, eyes and anus. Parts of his burned skin were flaky and had to be cut and cleaned. Two of the fingers on his right hand were broken and required surgery, which had to wait until his condition was stable.

Himba spent a good deal of time in intensive care on intravenous fluids and oxygen, antibiotics and painkillers to minimise discomfort, indigestion medication and vitamin injections to increase antibodies and promote the healing process. He was looked after around the clock, by the dedicated team at Nyaru Menteng.

Now, you wouldn’t recognize little Himba!

His scars from the horrific burns are barely visible, replaced by nice new smooth skin. He is also a lot more cheerful and drinks milk by himself.

He now weighs a healthy 5.4 kg, which is slightly more than other nine month olds, probably due to all that loving tender care. Now his special nanny will replace regular milk with a soy milk formula to get him into shape ready to start to play.

He has now just started to walk alone, and in the near future, will be learning to climb in the branches of small trees with some orangutan friends.

 

 

How Can You Help

There are lots of ways you can support orangutans and help ensure the survival of this precious ape.

Adopt an Orangutan

Adopt an Orangutan

Orangutans are endangered and at risk of extinction. Habitat destruction results in hundreds of orphaned orangutans, who rely on our care every year. You can help by adopting one. Their dedicated ‘nannies’ teach them everything they need to know for when it’s time to release them back to the wild. You can follow their progress through Forest School.

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Make a Donation

Make a Donation

Please help the Orangutans in their struggle for survival. Your donation is important and goes directly to BOS Indonesia. By donating, you are helping bring this noble yet endangered species back from the brink of extinction and on a path to freedom - from rescue to rehabilitation and release.

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Visit Our Shop

The perfect gift for any occasion! Choose from our selection of instant gifts that directly support our orangutans. You can buy a wheelbarrow, provide food for an orangutan for two months or lots more. You will receive a certificate, personalised with the name of your choice - perfect gift for you or a friend.

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