Monkey Word has welcomed a new orang-utan this week, 21-month-old Bornean orang-utan Loren, and given her a new adopted family.
Born in Moscow Zoo, Loren was sadly rejected at birth by her mother and was hand-reared during the first months of her life by the Moscow keepers, while her move to Monkey World was arranged. Monkey World, home of the European Crèche for Orphaned Orang-utans, has a dedicated orang-utan nursery specially designed to develop strength, social skills and climbing confidence. Here infants can grow-up with their own kind, supervised by expert care staff.
Straight away the team at Monkey World began introducing baby Loren to her new family and she was instantly accepted by her new adopted mum Roro! Already resident are Sumatran two year olds, Bulu-Mata and Rieke from Budapest and Berlin Zoos. The playful pair have joined Roro and baby Loren and the primate care staff have been pleased to see lively games between the youngsters already. Also part of Monkey World’s orang-utan nursery family are adolescent boys Silvestre and Jin and adult female Oshine. The adult ladies have a job keeping a watchful eye over this growing adopted family.
Dr Alison Cronin, Monkey World Director, and Head of Monkey World’s orang-utans, Jarno Swandi, travelled to Moscow, courtesy of IAG Cargo and British Airways, to meet baby Loren and travel back with her to the UK. Special arrangements were made and approvals given to allow baby Loren to travel in the passenger cabin so that this endangered baby travelled to her new home in comfort and safety throughout the flight. Dr Cronin said, “It took many months to arrange but government agencies from Moscow to London have worked tirelessly and given special permission for baby Loren to travel on board a passenger plane with British Airways and IAG Cargo. As a vulnerable infant, everything was done to ensure Loren’s journey was stress free on her way to get an adopted family that she needs and deserves. Everyone at Monkey World is pleased to welcome Loren, especially her new adopted family of six other orang-utans.”
Since arriving at the park, Loren was introduced to her new family, starting with adult female RoRo. RoRo’s gentle nature has allowed Loren to settle very quickly, and the pair have progressed to nesting down together in a hammock at night. With a fantastic adoptive mum, and fab new play mates in Bulu-Mata and Rieke, Loren’s future looks bright at Monkey World.
For more information on Monkeyworld please visit www.monkeyworld.org
