Basically this a a huge blue water barrel cut in half. You then drill holes in the sides and attach wooden supports to sturdy it. Bolt it all in place and add a few chains to hang from the ceiling. It was great fun and we got into a little factory like production line. You have to make sure they are Orang proof though which means a lot of bolts and tightening.
Mid was through the morning, Richard came frantically running in saying that the Semi Wild Orang, Ganti, and her baby were in the enclosure. Cameras to the ready we ran down to the Orang enclosure to find that Ganti had somehow scaled the wall and was now trapped in the outdoor enclosure. How she managed it is beyond me but apparently she will often come back to brake the others out with logs she's throws in for them.
The keepers erected a rope and we watched her climb out, they then gave her some milk and off she went on her way. We watched her for a good hour, and it came to me. There were more people standing watching her than there are Orangs in this centre. I got a bit emotional, knowing she is the only Semi wild one in this forest, but it is the aim of the centre to have more. What's more could you ask for on a morning here than to see her where she is meant to be.
Just as we were about to leave the babies were being lead out to the jungle for school. This view will never get boring, and that was it, flowing tears! We headed back and then the tiny baby was out playing. I had to walk away this was just too much for my emotions.
We went back to work and I stained all the wood for our hammocks, perfect time to relax and reflect on the mornings experience. As we had a talk by Leo later I prepared dinner at lunch so didn't have time for my afternoon nap.
In the afternoon we finished our six hammocks, built a jungle proof cage for a Tasia so it can be released and watched the snakes feeding on a live chicken. I would like to add the chicken was on its way out so we thought it would a be a nicer end for it than a slow enevitable death. I never released how quick pythons were it was frightening.
We returned home and had dinner which I poured curry sauce over, them headed to Tasha and Leos house for a talk by Leo. He was talking to us about ethical tourism and it was fascinating. He is such an inspirational man and so passionate about the work he does. He doesn't hide behind the truth of the awful things us as the human race do to animals across the globe but he is realistic about why the tourist industry uses animals to make money. I spent the two hours in tears especially when they showed pictures of some of the Orangs at Matang before they came. Performing, chain smoking, it was disgusting. I was so angry, how can people pay to watch this cruelty. It really makes you think.
Today has furthered my thoughts on why this project is so important. It makes me emotional writing this. I am so privileged to have been given the chance to make a small difference and the permanent volunteers here are truly selfless people. I would give up everything in the UK to come out here to join them! Maybe one day I can make that a reality.
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