Can This Baby Orangutan Be Saved?

    Gerhana lay in the dirt—sick, starving, and alone. Death was closing in. 

    Just a few months earlier, the baby orangutan had been a healthy newborn. He clung to his mother’s side. They lived in the bright-green rainforests of Borneo, an island in Southeast Asia. 

    All around them, the jungle was bursting with life. Flying squirrels glided from tree to tree. Giant lizards ran across the forest floor. 

    Each night, Gerhana [guhr-HAH-nuh] and his mother returned to their leafy nest. They snuggled together high in the treetops. But then one day, disaster struck. 

    Gerhana’s mother was killed. 

    And Gerhana was left to survive in the wild on his own.

    Gerhana lay in the dirt. He was sick, starving, and alone. Death was closing in.

    A few months earlier, the orangutan had been a healthy newborn. He clung to his mother’s side. They lived in the rainforests of Borneo, an island in Southeast Asia.

    All around them, the jungle was bursting with life. Flying squirrels glided from tree to tree. Giant lizards ran across the forest floor.

    Each night, Gerhana [guhr-HAH-nuh] and his mother returned to their leafy nest. They snuggled together high in a tree. But then one day, disaster struck.

    Gerhana’s mother was killed.

    And Gerhana was left all alone.

    Gerhana lay in the dirt—sick, starving, and alone. Death was closing in.

    Only a few months earlier, the baby orangutan had been a healthy newborn clinging to his mother’s side. They lived in the bright-green rainforests of Borneo, an island in Southeast Asia.

    All around them, the jungle was bursting with life. Flying squirrels glided from tree to tree, and giant lizards ran across the forest floor.

    Each night, Gerhana [guhr-HAH-nuh] and his mother returned to their leafy nest. They snuggled together high in the treetops. But then one day, disaster struck.

    Gerhana’s mother was killed.

    And Gerhana was left to survive in the wild on his own.

    Gerhana and his mom were victims of deforestation. Since the 1980s, humans have cleared about 30 percent of Borneo’s rainforests. Hundreds of millions of trees have been cut down to make way for coal mines and palm oil farms. Palm oil is found in many things, from pizza dough to toothpaste.

    How is deforestation harmful? Orangutans live on the plants of the rainforest. When rainforests are cut down, they don’t just lose their homes. They struggle to find food too.

    These hungry apes go to places where humans live. They steal mangoes and eat farmers’ plants.  

    The orangutans are just trying to survive. But many humans see them as pests, like roaches and rats. So they kill them. That’s what happened to Gerhana’s mother.

    Gerhana and his mother were affected by deforestation. Since the 1980s, about 30 percent of Borneo’s rainforests have been cleared by humans. Hundreds of millions of trees have been cut down to make way for coal mines and palm oil farms. Palm oil is found in many products, from pizza dough to toothpaste.

    Deforestation is a serious problem for orangutans because these animals survive on the fruit and plants of the rainforest. When rainforests are cut down, orangutans don’t just lose their homes. They also struggle to find food.

    To avoid starving, these clever animals wander into places where humans live. They steal mangoes and eat farmers’ plants.  

    The orangutans are just trying to survive. But many humans see them as pests, like roaches and rats. So they kill the apes—just like they killed Gerhana’s mother.

    Without his mom, Gerhana was in danger. Baby orangutans learn from their moms for about seven years. They learn how to find food, swing through trees, and build nests. 

    Most orphans like Gerhana are doomed. They starve or end up in private zoos.

    After Gerhana’s mom died, he probably stayed by her side. He was only six months old. He couldn’t climb trees yet. All he could have done was cry out for help.

    Lucky for him, help was on the way.

    Gerhana didn’t have a very good chance of surviving without his mom. Baby orangutans spend about seven years learning skills from their mothers. They’re taught how to find food, swing through the trees, and build a nest to sleep in.

    So orphans like Gerhana are usually doomed. Some starve, and others are captured and sold to private zoos.

    No one is sure exactly what happened to Gerhana after his mother died, but he probably stayed by her side. He was only six months old and unable to climb trees by himself. All Gerhana could have done was cry out for help.

    Fortunately, help was on the way.

    On January 30, 2018, a farmer found Gerhana in his garden. He called the local authorities. They brought Gerhana to their headquarters. He needed medical help. He was dangerously underweight. He also had no hair, a sign he wasn’t getting enough to eat.

    The authorities had a plan to save Gerhana. They contacted the Four Paws International Orangutan Forest School. There, scientist Signe Preuschoft and her staff care for orphaned orangutans.

    The Forest School sent a team to pick up Gerhana. It was a six-hour ride to the school. But once he was there, the school’s caregivers sprang into action. They worked around the clock to feed Gerhana and keep him alive.

    On January 30, 2018, a farmer found Gerhana in his garden. He called the local authorities, and they took Gerhana back to their headquarters. 

    Gerhana needed medical attention—fast. He was dangerously underweight. He also had no hair—a sign he hadn’t been getting enough to eat.

    The authorities had a plan to save Gerhana. They contacted the Four Paws International Orangutan Forest School. At this amazing place, scientist Signe Preuschoft and her staff care for orphaned orangutans.

    The Forest School sent a team to pick up Gerhana. The baby orangutan was terrified for the entire six-hour ride to the school. But once he was there, the school’s caregivers sprang into action. They worked around the clock to feed Gerhana and keep him alive.

    Over time, Gerhana grew stronger. It was clear that he would be OK. So it was time to start his “lessons.” In the wild, baby orangutans learn by watching and imitating their mothers. At the Forest School, they watch the human caregivers.

    Bit by bit, the orangutans are given more time to explore the forest on their own. Once they’re ready, they’re released back into the wild. This can take 10 years or longer.

    As the days went by, Gerhana’s strength returned. When it was clear that he would survive, it was time for Gerhana to start his “lessons.” 

    In the wild, baby orangutans learn by watching and imitating their mothers. At the Forest School, baby orangutans learn in much the same way—but instead of watching their mothers, they watch the human caregivers.

    Gradually, the orangutans are given more time to explore the forest independently. Once they’re ready, they are released back into the wild. This can take 10 years or longer.

    The Forest School is saving many orangutans. Still, orangutans are in trouble. They’re in danger of dying out. Authorities don’t always enforce laws meant to protect rainforests.

    Want to help orangutans? Look up your favorite foods and brands. Find out if they use palm oil in their products. If so, write to them. Tell them to use palm oil that’s produced in a way that doesn’t harm rainforests.

    Gerhana would thank you. He’s 3 years old now. The rainforest is his home. He loves to play. He’s known for his sassy grin.

    Preuschoft isn’t surprised that he’s bouncing back. “That’s typical of orangutans,” she says.

    Gerhana still has a lot to learn. But his many human moms and dads will help him. •    

    The Forest School is doing a lot to save orangutans, but the problem these apes face is too big for the school to solve on its own. Orangutans are in danger of dying out. Authorities don’t always enforce laws intended to prevent deforestation.

    If you want to help orangutans, here’s what you can do. Research your favorite foods and brands to see if they use palm oil in their products. If they do, write to the companies and make sure the palm oil they use is produced in a way that doesn’t harm rainforests.

    Gerhana—now a 3-year-old with bright-red hair—would thank you. The rainforest is his home. He loves to play and is known around the school for his sassy grin.

    Preuschoft isn’t surprised that he’s bouncing back. “That’s typical of orangutans,” she says.

    Gerhana still has a great deal to learn—but fortunately, his many human mothers and fathers will be there to help him every step of the way. •