Adib may be one of five orphaned orangutans cared for by our team at Camp JL, but his personality is truly one-of-a-kind.
Adib was rescued as a pet from the nearby town of Sampit, Central Kalimantan
In 2017, male orangutan Adib was one a number of species to be reintroduced into the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, including reticulated pythons, changeable hawk eagles, a hornbill, a pangolin, and a slow loris. Each one was handed over to our field team for release having previously been kept as pets, however at one and a half years old, young Adib would first need time to learn what it takes to be wild.
Working with local wildlife department BKSDA, Orangutan Foundation are fortunate to be able to release rescued wildlife into the safety of this Reserve. The 158,000 acre haven is protected 24/7 by a network of manned guard posts and enables wildlife in need like Adib to have a fresh start.
Adib soon entered the Foundation’s soft-release programme and joined fellow orphaned orangutans Mona, Nyunyu, Boy, and Timtom at Camp JL. Here, Adib has the opportunity to show off his adventurous side.
In December 2018, while putting his climbing skills to the test in the canopy, Adib wasn’t quite as strong as he thought and unfortunately lost his grip and fell to the ground. He appeared to be in some discomfort and X-rays revealed that he had fractured his arm which would require a temporary cast and a period of rest to gather his strength.
Our team treated Adib’s fracture and fed him by hand while he recovered
In what must have been an uncomfortable time for Adib, he was a model patient. He calmly persevered and soon it wasn’t long until he was back using his arm to swing and play in the trees again. Seeing him confidently exploring the forest today you would never suspect that this brave little orangutan had ever seriously injured himself- let alone started his life in a cage as a pet.
Adib learns more and more each day what it takes to be wild
Adib’s energetic and sometimes boisterous behaviour is unlike the other young primates in our care. Our staff regularly comment on how Adib never seems to back down from a playfight with other orangutans, and hopefully when he turns this determination towards learning the skills of the forest, he will be on his way to be released into the wild.
