This morning we had our orientation for when we work at the clinic with the baby and toddler orangutans and the ill ones. As we walked in we saw baby orangutans staring at us in their cages, one 2 year old was in a pink nappy sitting in a pink basket...so adorable. We were shown where all the bananas were kept and it will be out job to peel them every morning. We then took the bananas to he orangutans to feed them. We had to give each oang between 4-7 bananas depending on their age but we were all so excited about it that we lost count :-( think we will need to be a bit more organised when we actually start working. It is so lovely how they eat them, you just give it to them in their hand and they eat it like a human would, although some put it on their arm and save it for later :-)
The orangs are pretty strong, even the toddlers, and they tug on your tshirts and arms as you walk past. We then had to prepare the milk for their bottles and you have to feed them like human babies. The little 2 year olds were so cute and one orang had too much and it came out its little nose. They all just want to touch you and hold your hands the whole time, cuddle and kiss you. Their kisses are so soft.
After feeding we had to transfer the toddlers out of their cages to play in the jungle gym. I took sen out (my adopted orang), at first we tried walking but he just wanted to be carried so he cuddled me so tight the whole way to the jungle gym. Once all were fed and watered, it was cleaning time (but to our luck, the water wasnt working so we didnt have to do it!)

One of the orangs - Nolong is paralysed all in his left side due to malaria. He was still able to play in the jungle gym but it means that he may never be able to be released into the wild as he just isnt strong enough to survive.
There were a few other ill ones, one had no hair and another had been bitten by a dog.

This afternoon, we had our orientation for outdoor orangutan work in the jungle. We trekked for 30 mins into the deep jungle to the furthest feeding platform where tourists arent allowed. We all carried bananas to feed the orangs once we got there. We also had to take back 2 orangs to the jungle who had been in clinic and we got to take turns in carrying one - Rosalina and she was 25kg, it was so hot in the jungle as it is and carrying her was hard work but very sweet.

Once arrived, the orangs in the jungle all come out to see you, they swing over on branches or climb down trees and some were quite agressive and tried to grab bananas off us. One orang Oscar was mating right by us with Rosalina which we were all quite embarressed about and couldnt watch.

The rangers were chopping a tree stump near us in preparation for the 10th october when the Sultan of Brunei is visitngand 2 of the orangs found a stick and where using the stick and the tree stump like a mortal and pessel, it was amazing to see how human like they can be.

One woman in out group was wearing a head scarf and an orangutan stole it from her head and when to the top of the tree. He started fashioning it as a hat, and then a sash and a skirt...it was very funny.

Truly amazing animals xxx