Stuck in between two great apes
Category: Orangutans, Tanjung Puting National Park (TPNP) | Date: Jul 30 2008 | By: orangutanfoundation
During last week, when I was in Tanjung Puting National Park, I had a close encounter that reminded me just how impressive these great apes are. Walking down the jetty from Camp Leakey we found our way blocked by Kusasi, who, I can assure you, is quite some bloke!
Kusasi and Tut blocking the way.
Kusasi was the dominant male of Camp Leakey for many years. Tut, a female, sat patiently in front of him; if he was not going to shift neither was she. So we called Abdi who is magical with the orangutans. Abdi simply walked up to Kusasi and shooed him away, much as you or I would a kitten.
Humbled, we thanked Abdi and walked on, only to find Uranus, another cheek-padded male, at the far end of the jetty. The rule with all orangutans is “never within arm’s reach” which means there was no walking past Uranus who has a 2m/7’ arm-span.
Tom, another cheek-padded male - thank goodness he wasn’t on the jetty!
Kusasi had by this time returned to the jetty, which meant we could not walk on or go back. I tried my Abdi impersonation but failed dismally. With Uranus, we had to wait him out. It was almost sunset before he sauntered off to make his nest….
Tags: Orangutans
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5 Responses to “Stuck in between two great apes”
sheryl, washington dc, on 30 Jul 2008
Very impressive. Not your inability to make the orangs move, but the orangs themselves.
I posted the following in Baraza because there wasn’t a recent post here but now I’ll add it:
ABC News report on orangutans: The Plight of the Red Apes
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5238877
The researchers interviewed include Lone Dröscher Nielsen and some guy from WWF. They predict extinction of the species within 10 years.
TEN YEARS.
The report mentions that deforestation in Indonesia occurs at a rate of 5,000 square miles per year, or an area the size of the state of Connecticut. The WWF blames palm oil production for most of this deforestation, stating that the Indonesian government allowed 25,000 square miles of forest to be cleared for oil palm farms. The farmers kill any orangutans they find because they consider them pests.
I buy exactly two vegan products that contain palm oil and I’m going to search diligently to find safe replacements for them. READ LABELS on absolutely everything you buy. The report states that 10 percent of all products sold in the U.S. contain palm oil. I think it’s higher.
s.
Wanda, Atlanta, on 30 Jul 2008
The Atlanta paper has Coke bleding Asian/China ingredients with their drinks now that evolved from the OLD world - they are playing it up as plants as ingredients but I feel sure the animal trade comes into play - I will spend the next few weeks blasting Coke in my home town for this new move — it never ends anything to SELL - no matter what the cost — not about organgs but still just urks me to no end!
sheryl, washington dc, on 30 Jul 2008
Here’s a link to the story that Wanda refers to: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/news/stories/2008/07/29/cokechina.html
Even if they don’t involve animal products in their new line of Chinese medicine drinks (I can’t roll my eyes far enough back into my head), the demand for the specific herbs might create a habitat crises for some species in China, most of which are already under enormous pressure.
OK, back to orangs!
s.
Francis, on 30 Jul 2008
wow it’s great to hear that Kusasi is still around. I watched a documentary on him last year on PBS called “From Orphan to King”. He really has an amazing life story but the documentary was a few years old and Kusasi was getting older and there was another male challenging him to be the dominate male. After the show I was curious for an update on Kusasi and how he was doing and searched the internet but couldn’t find anything. He may not still be King but it’s good to know he’s still around. His life has been a fascinating journey. Thanks for the pictures
Annie, on 30 Jul 2008
Cute story……wow Sheryl that is so scary for these apes! I cannot believe the farmers just kill these creatures when they are on the verge of extinction….couldn’t there be another alternative to keep them away from their crops?
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