Young Orangutan Receives First-Class Passage to New Sanctuary

A young orangutan named Kiwi was afforded a luxurious journey, receiving a first-class ticket as she traveled across the English Channel with her caregivers to commence a new life in Dorset. This premium travel arrangement was provided to ease what could have been a challenging international trip for the infant ape. Kiwi, who is almost one year old, was born at a conservation facility in Spain. Her biological mother rejected her, and subsequent efforts to have another orangutan adopt her were unsuccessful. Consequently, she has been transferred to Monkey World in Wareham, which houses Europe’s premier orangutan nursery. Her 90-minute voyage from Calais to Dover aboard the P&O ferry Liberte was undertaken in the most comfortable seating available, guaranteeing a calm environment for her during the transit. Jack Steer, the port operations director for P&O Ferries, commented: “It is not every day we have an orangutan onboard and it was a special day for our P&O Liberte crew who greeted Kiwi and arranged a quiet place for her to stay as she sailed across the English Channel.” Kiwi represents the second infant orangutan to arrive at the Dorset ape rescue center’s nursery for orphaned and abandoned young in a short period. In October, three-month-old Sibu was transferred to the facility from Dublin Zoo because his mother could not provide him with nourishment. According to Monkey World, Kiwi has adapted well alongside Sibu, and they are observed spending time together in the nursery, observing the adult orangutans. As both still require nocturnal milk feedings and reassurance, Kiwi and Sibu share their evenings and mornings with the dedicated Monkey World care staff. Ultimately, they are slated to transition to full-time residency in the nursery, joining four other young orangutans originating from Hungary, Germany, and the UK. Their care is overseen by their foster mother, Oshine, an orangutan from Borneo who was saved from the illicit pet trade in South Africa in 2010. Dr. Alison Cronin, director of Monkey World, stated: “It is so important that the babies grow up with others of their own kind rather than with people so that they mature into healthy and well-adjusted adults.” She added: “It is hard work caring for two needy orphans but it means the kids will be able to grow up together under the watchful eyes of their older brothers and sisters and adopted mother.” Dr. Cronin further remarked: “It is quite an international crowd at the orangutan nursery and, while it is very sad that they are not being cared for by their mothers, all of us from Spain to Ireland to Dorset are doing everything possible to give these gorgeous babies families of their own kind.” Monkey World reported that, with the arrival of Kiwi and Sibu, it has provided care for a total of 13 orphaned orangutans from seven different nations throughout its history. For updates, BBC Dorset can be followed on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.