Day 34 - Matang Borneo - D-Day

This morning was meant to be farm but due to the move that was taking place it was cancelled and I was put on gibbons. All husbandry had to be completed by 10am. Motivation was high this morning everyone wanting to get things completed so we could watch the move. Most of us were done by 9.45, the tension and excitement was palpable. 

Leo came just before 10am and we were all herded out to a safe distance. Sandy was first, she has been there for years. Leo already had them trained to have injections but every time the liquid was squeezed in she would pull away. After a few attempts and top ups she was out and then came the tricky bit of opening a door, which hadn't Been opened in as long as she was in there. Eventually they got it and carried her out to the back of quarantine where the vet was waiting with forestry to do a full check up, blood count and microchip. We got to watch over the fence. Then she started to wake up so the keepers launched her over their backs and ran past us to the new enclosures. And that's when it started, the tears. No sobbing or crying just full flow of tears, I couldn't stop them. What an amazing experience to watch.

Next up it was Shirley, the smoker. She has a history of anaesthesia, which produces a fatty build up in their throat pouch, they knew she was probably more resistant to the drugs but weren't quite banking on how much they eventually gave her. It took some time for her to be out fully. As she was a lot bigger than sandy it took six men and a stretcher to get her out. She was given the full medical check and then transferred to the new cage.

Imagine what they must have thought, just being in a clean cage which will be able to be cleaned everyday must be a relief, soon they will get to go outside once they are awake and settled. They will be able to see daylight, feel the rain, smell the jungle, things we all take for granted but that these girls have been deprived of for so many years, long before they came here. 

Maria will be moved over the coming days she won't take an injection so will need to be darted which is much more stressful. Kerry asked if we wouldn't mind cleaning the cages they had been in, I jumped at the opportunity, I have wanted to scrub them since I came 6months ago. I was surprised how easily the dirt came off, but the smell was horrific :( 

After lunch we were meant to see a civet cat released into its new cage, instead we saw it released into the jungle when it accidentally escaped from the transportation cage. Means another lucky animal can now be released from quarantine. 

We left for Basaga at about 3pm, chilled for a bit, had dinner then headed to Monkee bar again. Mel and I got in about 3am and she went off to go and wait for her taxi to the airport.