A baby orangutan who was fighting for his life three years ago after being starved by his owner has made a miraculous recovery, a British charity announced today.
Budi, an orangutan now 4-years-old, arrived at the International Animal Rescue Centre (IAR) in Indonesia bloated and with his limbs severely swollen and bent due to spending the first ten months of his life locked up in a chicken coop without any food.
He was in a dismal state, constantly in pain and barely able to move, prompting the international community to donate funds to help support Budi’s rehabilitation.
Now, three-years later, he’s done just that, having been nursed back to health and ready to climb and swing from trees with the other orangutans staying at the rescue centre in Ketapang.
Now, three-years later, Budi, pictured, climbs trees with the other orangutans staying at the rescue centre in Ketapang, Indonesia
According to IAR, Budi, pictured, now stays out in the forest 24-hours-a-day and is slowly learning to survive on his own. He can, most notably, build his own nest
It was touch and go whether Budi, pictured, would survive but vets made him as comfortable as possible with medication to try to relieve his suffering
It was touch and go whether Budi would survive.
Vets made him as comfortable as possible with medication to try to relieve his suffering.
At the time of his admittance, IAR Indonesia director Karmele L Sanchez, who led the team nurturing Budi, said: ‘Since being admitted to our centre just a few weeks ago he has started to make a slow recovery.
‘He is suffering from severe anaemia and months of malnutrition have left his joints swollen and badly deformed. He is being treated for a serious metabolic disease that may have caused permanent damage to his bones.
‘The treatment and care he receives in the months ahead are going to be critical to Budi’s future.’
According to IAR, Budi now stays out in the forest 24-hours-a-day and is slowly learning to survive on his own. He can, most notably, build his own nest and continues to get along with the 18 other orangutans who are there, despite having arrived at the centre so terrified.
The International Animal Rescue Centre in Indonesia says Budi, pictured, still has a long way to go and continues to be treated for metabolic disease
When caught with offspring, young orangutans like Budi, pictured, are often kept as pets by ignorant owners with no idea of their needs
Budi, pictured, stole hearts when he first arrived at the International Animal Rescue Centre in Indonesia and it was touch and go whether he would survive
Budi, pictured, even gets along with the 18 other orangutans who are there, despite having arrived at the centre in Indonesia so terrified
But he still has a long way to go, the IAR said, and continues to be treated for metabolic disease.
Mr Sanchez said: ‘At the moment we are still worried for his life and trying to minimise his pain.
‘But Budi is a very strong little baby and he is fighting very hard to survive.’
On Twitter, the IAR thanked everyone for their support, giving special mention to Ricky Gervais, singer Sia and broadcaster Fearne Cotton.
Budi, pictured, arrived at the International Animal Rescue Centre in Indonesia bloated and with his limbs severely swollen and bent due to spending the first ten months of his life locked up in a chicken coop without any food
Budi, pictured, with another orphaned orangutan named Budi at the International Animal Rescue Centre in Indonesia where they are nursed back to health with other mistreated animals
Budi, pictured, blows kisses with his friend Jemmi, another orphaned orangutan at the International Animal Rescue Centre in Indonesia
Ape for each other! Budi and Jemmi the orphaned orangutans, pictured, blow air kisses over the dinner table as they share some fruit8 April 2015
Budi, pictured, was in a dismal state, constantly in pain and barely able to move, when he arrived at the centre, prompting the international community to donate funds to help support his rehabilitation
Orangutans are under threat in their natural habitat like never before.
The lowland forest habitats of Asia’s only great ape are quickly disappearing, being cut down for timber or burned to make way for palm oil plantations and other agricultural development.
Orangutans are an easy target for hunters, killed for food in some areas or in revenge attacks when they move into agricultural areas and destroy crops. Females in particular are most often hunted.
When caught with offspring, the young are often kept as pets by ignorant owners with no idea of their needs.