Updates on all the orangutan antics in Ketapang

Baby orangutan Noel

By vet Silje Robertsen

At our orangutan rescue centre in Ketapang some of our younger orangutans have been introduced to new areas. Marsela, the young female who was rescued from a palm oil plantation in February this year was moved from the baby school to the larger play area for the juveniles and seems to be thoroughly enjoying the new space here.  Monti has also been moved to the larger play area and after an initial period of scepticism she is now playing enthusiastically and is settling in well with the “big guys”. 

Ujil was initially placed with the older babies in the back transit area, where he seemed to be settling in well. After some weeks though, it became clear that he was not coping too well in the new environment and he was showing signs of depression. The past month he has been together with the younger babies in the baby school area and here he seems to be more content. He is a gentle character, but knows how to defend himself in the not so seldom play fights with Jack or Bandut. He also keeps the baby sitters busy as he is continually looking for weak spots in our fencing and breaks out. 

Gunung and Noel are enjoying the status as the babies in the group. Especially Lady is thriving in the role of surrogate mother and loves pulling Gunung’s long hair. Also Rahayu and Oscarina will join in on the play: even when Noel and Gunung might be heading off in another direction they will firmly, but kindly, convince them to stay and play with them.

Pelangsi is showing a steady improvement as his wounds from the amputation operation have healed. It will surely be a long process for him to learn how to cope with his new disability, but he has already developed a technique for gathering leafs with his healthy arm and his mouth.

Rescued orangutan Jacky

On Saturday 18 August a young male orangutan was surrendered to our centre. He is called Jacky and is about one and a half years old.  He has probably been kept as a pet for most of his life as he is very attached to humans, but he has no signs of physical illness.  For now he is in our baby quarantine area awaiting the results of his health screening and if all is clear after the quarantine period he can join the other babies in the play area.