Two new voices have joined the afternoon chorus in the Nursery. Among the cicada trilling and the laughs of the caretakers preparing the afternoon milk, the high-pitched squeaking of Ajie and Opet can be distinguished.
Ajie, a male between 6 and 10 months old, arrived on the morning of Sunday June 13. The weekly cage washing in the nursery of the Orangutan Care Centre and Quarantine was interrupted by Dr. Popo bringing in the tiny orangutan orphan. He was surrendered to the local Brimob (Indonesian special police division), who brought him to OFI. One of the Brimob`s tasks is patrolling areas around palm oil plantations, and Ajie`s previous owners got him from just such a plantations. The plantation was close to Sampit, a town four hours away from Pasir Panjang. As in other such cases, the mother was killed, either out of fear or the desire to obtain her infant. Ajie’s relaxed behaviour suggests that he has been with people for several months.
Unexpectedly, Monday morning brought another infant, little Opet Rianti, just teething. She is even younger than Ajie, and more agitated. She squeaks incessantly unless cuddled by one of the carers, but her curious gaze is a promising sign for a lively character. She came to the OCC&Q with the Department of Forestry, who are OFI`s partners in orangutan rescues and confiscations. Like Ajie, she was orphaned at a palm oil plantation, and being kept in a private residence for the last two months. She arrived dressed daringly in a pink tank top and a diaper.
Both infants are under the expert care of the Nursery staff, and soaking up milk like a sponge. They are under observation by the centre`s vets, but appear in physically healthy condition
