Help save confiscated or injured Sumatran wildlife

SRI has been involved in the confiscation of 3 more gibbons, 1 baby boy Siamang, a slightly older fellow Boim and one very delicate little girl lar gibbon, Luna. They are still in temporary holding (quarantine) enclosures. We are slowly increasing the height of their temporary enclosures, and have been able to provide more enrichment activities and rotating furniture changes however establishing a permanent rehabilitation facility adjacent to protected habitat and away from the city noise and lights is proving quite difficult without more funding. 

The gibbons provide all the SRI staff with an insight into primate behaviour and each animal’s different personality. We have tested and treated them for intestinal parasites although very few worms eggs were found in their faeces.

In late September and early October it was fantastic to have the help of Sheila Roe a "Tiger Keeper" from Melbourne Zoo. Although there weren't any opportunities to assist with Tiger rescue Sheila's previous experience with primates was invaluable when a very young orangutan was confiscated and the SRI team relocated her to the Orangutan Quarantine and Rehabilitation Centre near Medan. Lillie was nursed, gobbled some fruit and loved her bottle  when she wasn't snoozing after a little valium to reduce her stress and possible travel sickness. We were able to make good use of the smallest light new transport cage which fits inside the rescue vehicle to keep her safely confined whilst her "carer" had a short toilet or food break on the very long, slow trip North. 

We have had two different visitors this month, an eagle with a badly injured leg from a ring that had caused loss of the flesh down to the bone over a 2 to 3 cm length. It is healing well after surgery last week but it will be a long slow process to full recovery and release. The fish that flop from the sky are a great treat!

The newest baby is a young Small Indian Civet which fell from a roof and the mother's fate was unknown. She is a savage little beast with two perfect rows of needle sharp teeth. She is doing very well in captivity and is being gradually weaned off her milk, but again the question of how to rehabilitate her for release? She is from a family of "chicken killers" so won't be too popular in the local neighbourhood! Asian Palm Civets are used in the production of Lewak Coffee and often kept in very cramped conditions without access to nutritious foods so she is a lucky girl.