Voices from the Field

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends of the Orangutan,

I have just received a report via email from my good friend and colleague,

Hardi Baktiantoro, assistant manager at Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Reintroduction

Project, and frequent member of the Orangutan Rescue Team. Just back from a

tiring rescue operation in the palm oil plantations, and before resting or

having a bite to eat he sent me this message (it has not been edited):

 

Dear Michelle,

 

Please, tell to the world.

 

17 July 2006

PT.Kerry Sawit Indonesia.

 

 

Metallica in Borneo

 

Her face looks swollen, especially surrounding the eyes, and her arm always

tries to protect her face and eyes from the light. With fading energy, she still

tries to defend herself when I try to get closer. But, we can easily catch her

hands and feet. The vet gives her injection and I cut the rope that tied up her

waist. We put her inside the transport cage. Evening falls and we leave the palm

oil plantation. I hope she feels comfort inside the dark transport cage.

Hopefully, she wants to eat the fruit and drink the milk available inside.

 

After 2 hours drive, we take a rest in Sampit City to pray to Allah. We are

happy to find she eats the fruit inside the cage. When I met her for first time

in the plantation camp, she looked starving, dehydrated and stressed. The

workers said that she was captured in the last 3 days and does not eat anything.

 

As usual, the medical team do some medical and physical tests. I was really

shocked when the vet reported that she not only has she no name but she also has

6 fingers only. The 4 fingers maybe were already cut by plantation workers!

These are the details: the ring and middle fingers in both right and left hand

cut. I believe that some sick plantation workers have idea to make her hand like

a hard rock music code or symbol. We give her the name: Metalica, to remind us

always how bad the plantation company respect the orangutan and nature.

 

When I write this report, I remember what the site manager said, “We killed

two red leaf monkeys. Can you give your tranquilizer gun to us?”

 

 

 

HBO

Hardi Baktiantoro and Orangutans

 

(Email me off list for a photo)

 

 

 

Michelle Desilets

BOS UK

www.savetheorangutan.org.uk

www.savetheorangutan.info

" Primates Helping Primates "

 

Please sign our petition to rescue over 100 smuggled orangutans in Thailand:

http://www.thePetitionSite.com/takeaction/822035733

 

 

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