Baby orangutans thrive after rescue from being kept as human baby-like pets

[Liberal_in_LA]

https://news.vice.com/article/a-crying-baby-orangutan-named-budi-highlights-indonesias-exotic-pet-problem


A Crying Baby Orangutan Named Budi Highlights Indonesia's Exotic Pet Problem
Budi, a small baby orangutan who was kept in a chicken cage and fed only condensed milk for 10 months, is recuperating at an animal shelter in Indonesia after coming close to death from malnourishment and neglect.

Budi's owner recently handed him over to local wildlife rescuers in Ketapang, Indonesia. The man had been keeping the endangered baby ape as a pet. In parts of Borneo and Sumatra — two islands in Southeast Asia — the animals have been threatened by mass deforestation, poaching, and smuggling for the illegal exotic pet trade.

While it is illegal to keep orangutans as pets in both Indonesia and under the the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the practice is common and authorities rarely prosecute owners who keep primates in captivity. The animals are often kept at homes as a status symbol, where they treated like human babies.


Budi arrived at International Animal Rescue's Orangutan Rescue Centre in a critical state, his rescuers said. He was severely emaciated, anemic, and swollen with fluid because he had been given no protein and survived only on liquid. He was also suffering from a metabolic disease affecting his bones and was unable to move, rescuers said.

"We cannot even imagine how much pain this small baby has suffered," Dr. Karmele L Sanchez, IAR's Programme Director in Indonesia, said shortly after he was rescued. "His eyes fill with tears every time he's moved by the doctors and he screams in pain. It's really amazing that Budi has been able to survive this long






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I wanna be like you! Cute moment two baby orangutans meet for the first time after being rescued and nursed by humans










http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3005393/I-wanna-like-Cute-moment-two-baby-orangutans-meet-time-rescued-nursed-humans.html

Baby orangutan Budi was too weak to move when he was rescued in January
International Animal Rescue found him living in a tiny chicken cage in Borneo
He is now strong enough to swing around and even play with other orangutans
An adorable video captures his first encounter with his new companion Jemmi
His eight-month-old friend was orphaned as a baby and sold illegally as a pet
Charity hope they will both become less dependent on the 'human babysitters'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3005393/I-wanna-like-Cute-moment-two-baby-orangutans-meet-time-rescued-nursed-humans.html#ixzz3V34zU1FA

[lamp_shade]

1. So precious. Thanks... especially for including all the pictures.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

2. what lamp_shade said.

❤

[joeybee12]

3. Great photos...

What stupid creatures far too many humans are...knr