Unfortunately, the majority of orphaned orangutans handed over share the same story – the fate of the mother remains an unsolved mystery.
Orangutan mothers look after their offspring like a priceless treasure. The pair stay together for approximately 7-8 years until the child is ready to live independently.
Resident orangutan and her infant
With time, infants learn from their mothers how to find food, build nests, navigate the canopies and avoid predators lurking in the forest. Mastering these skills is critical; adult orangutans live a mostly solitary life and must fend entirely for themselves. In this sense, by passing down their knowledge of the forest, orangutan mothers are integral to the growth and survival of this critically endangered species.
Resident orangutan feeding her infant
Sadly, some individuals are denied the chance of this natural guidance and introduction to life. Many infants that enter our care are found alone - the mother nowhere to be seen - with locals denying any further knowledge of her whereabouts. Given the vulnerability of the young orangutans in these situations, the response team must act quickly to ensure the survival of the infant.
The latest orangutan to arrive at the Orangutan Foundation, however, came from a very unusual situation. At twelve-years-old, Amel is the oldest orphan to join the soft-release programme. The female was handover over to staff and BKSDA (the governmental conservation agency) by a resident of East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan.
Amel in transport enclosure on her way to the Foundation
Amel had been kept as a pet in a small enclosure in her owners garden since 2014. Despite living on a diet of bananas, porridge and milk – as she had been given since an infant – Amel is fortunately in good health. It is her age, however, that may pose implications; concerns lie in whether it may be too late for Amel to learn the forest skills required for an independent life.
Amel being handed over by her owners
After receiving a full health-check from the veterarians including treatment for a minor finger injury, Amel was transferred to Camp JL, Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, where she will learn how to be an independent orangutan. It is sad to see that having not spent time in the forest in eleven years, Amel is still not sure what trees are for and runs back to the comfort of her enclosure when staff try to place her in one.
Amel receiving treatment for her finger injury
Amel was found at the age of one. Yet, infants at this age are never separated from their mothers in the wild; they are still breastfeeding and are entirely dependent on her for their survival. This begs the question of what happens to the mothers in situations such as Amel’s; when infants are found alone, we almost never discover the true fate of the mother.
Fortunately, the Community Outreach programme has been raising awareness of the need for conservation amongst local communities and has led to a reduction in required rescues of orphaned infants. As we commit to another 35 years of conservation in light of our 35th anniversary this year, we will continue this grassroots approach to protect the future of orangutans, forests and people.
