It was my third day on site at the Friends of the National Parks Foundation in Borneo and I was invited to visit quarantine where sick and rehabilitating orang-utans stay until they are well enough to go back into the wild.
I thought to myself how do they stand the heat and humidity with all that fur as my clothes were sticking to my body and sweat was rolling down my face. The air felt so thick, heavy and steamy yet as I walked towards one of the cages the thick, steamy air suddenly became easier to breathe as I was captivated by the cutest most loving big brown eyes I had ever seen.
I asked my hostess and project manager of FNPF Yen all about this beautiful baby orang-utan who caught my eye that was about 12 months old. Her name was Jodie and evidently she contracted tuberculosis. I found that hard to believe as she swung and jumped around the cage full of energy looking as cheeky as ever and giving a toothy smile, as she swung past.
In the next cage there were two male orang-utans who were older than Jodie but still young. As I approached the bars of the cage one of them lent towards me and grabbed my hand and pulled it towards him between the bars. He looked at my hand as to study it and compare it to his own, as though we were the same but not quite.
His hand was warm and his palm felt rough and well padded like a leather cushion. His fur was thick and course that felt like thin wire with beautiful auburn highlights through it that sparkled when caught by the light of the sun. I was so amazed by his curiosity and persistence to study my hand. When he finally let go the other orang-utan came over and pulled my hand in just like the other only with more force. This one wouldn’t let go for quite a while and was more interested in playing than studying my hand. I guess that goes to show how individual they are.
It was time to leave as Yen called me over to get back for lunch. There was a lot planned for the rest of the afternoon yet this experience of seeing the orang-utans up close will remain with me for the rest of my life.
When I returned home to Australia I received a sad email from Yen to say that Jodie had passed away from her disease. I’ll never forget those warm brown eyes…..
wondering if you were able to do any artwork while with the orangutans
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