It is true that humans and orangutans have remarkable similarities both behaviorally and physically.
Like humans, orangutans and other great apes are known for their intelligence: They can learn words, express emotions and even utilize tools.
You might be able to understand your baby’s needs by the sound of their cry. It could be a hungry cry, a cry of panicked and so on.
This heartfelt story is about a mom and how she sweetly hugs her newborn girl, who’s crying for her closeness, in their first meeting after the tiny one was stolen by the foremost male.
Approximately four years ago, Clara, an adult female orangutan, welcomed newborn baby Clarita on Salat Island. This land is used by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) for the two purposes of “pre-release area for orangutan release candidates and as a sanctuary for unreleasable orangutans.”
The animal welfare group in Indonesia defines “unreleasable” as orangutans who lack the skills to survive on their own, but “will not have to live inside a cage for the rest of their lives. Living in a natural environment surrounded by the forest is also their right.”
Clara and her new babe Clarita were on the island for pre-release, where they would live in the canopied forest in a protected area.
When technicians searched the newborn, they found that Clarita was in the team of Rizki, a 14-year-old male orangutan, and his pals.
The group had to get prompt action and rescue the little one safely who was in danger. Clarita wanted urgent medicines for a severe rash, and undernourishment because she was separated from her breastfeeding mother.
The team quickly saved the baby and entered her to the clinic for care and observation.
In addition to rescuing Clarita, they also needed to capture Clara. According to Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), Clara seemed to be hiding on Salat, displaying behavior that trying to avoid the other orangutans on the island, particularly Rizki, who had stolen her daughter.
Once mom, who also had a painful rash, and her baby were secure in the clinic, technicians were both delighted and afraid for their company.
But the park staff were concerned that she might be rejected by her mother who may not be able to recognize her as her daughter, which means Clarita would enter the reintroduction program. This program involves a seven-year educational period before the orangutan is safely released into a natural habitat.
The reunion
Footage of the heartwarming reunion shows a nervous vet, cradling Clarita in her arms as they walk to the crate temporarily housing her mom, who was being treated for the rash.
Approaching Clara, the vet says quietly, “This is your baby, yes sweetheart. Look at her, maybe you need to get to know each other first.”
Clara’s eyes are set on her incapable daughter.
First, through the bars, she kisses the baby on the tuft of fur popping from the top of her head.
Motivated by Clara’s behavior, the technician takes the decision to let the mom hold her baby.
Clara stretches out her hand and eagerly tries to open the lock.
Once they are in the space together, the mom excitedly embraces the baby, and as Clarita’s whimpering gets louder, Clara lies on her back, allowing the baby to feed.
Several technicians got emotional watching as Clarita’s cries stopped.
One says, “I cannot say in words, it’s so beautiful. It was one of the best moments of my life, to see this. It’s really nice.”
In October 2018, the sanctuary offered an update on Clara and Clarita.
After making a full recovery, Clara and Clarita were moved to a pre-release island, allowing the team to monitor their progress and evaluate their suitability for release into the wild.
Once having the release criteria, in September 2018, Clara and Clarita started their new lives in the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya Nation.
The Clara-Clarita video is one of the heart touching clips out there! Furry or human, a mother’s love is Inescapable.
