Sunday, 30 March 2014

Day 60 - Ketapang Borneo - Venetian Blinds for a Slow Loris



The final day. A chance to get more photos on the way to work. I am not so sure I will miss the bus journey it's a little bumpy I much prefer the bike. I will miss the houses we pass where children always wave and say hello, the random shops and the sense of community these people have. The smells that change from morning to evening and of course the high risk of death by erratic scooter drivers with half their family on board.

Upon our arrival at work we still had jobs to do, some went to clean the van, others the logistics and all the tools. I got to go with Noël to help fix a Venetian blind for a slow loris. Oh yes you read that right. They have a slow loris at the centre called Uut. He is caged under a giant water tank. Until he can be tagged and released he has a lovely little place to reside in the meantime. Unfortunately the sun rises directly into his cage and being nocturnal he likes to sleep during the day. Therefore there is a Venetian blind that can be pulled up at night and released in the early hours of the morning by the night staff. It involved a little climb up a ladder and threading some rope through. Then we had to play around with the weight of the bottom so it would fall.

After this we spent a few hours waiting around, Kristi made herself at home in a wheelbarrow and we all chatted, told jokes and riddles, drew in the sand. We were waiting for Pinky an adult female Orang to be released from Quarantine into the big socialisation cages after having have some dental work done. Like Shirley from Matang she is a big girl and took a long time to go under, hence the two hour wait.

It was great to see her go in, even if she did still look a bit high from the sedation. Just as we were due to leave the heavens opened and cooled us all down a treat. I made my way to the Island to help Noel tighten the last nuts and bolts on the bridges. He went back to get tools so I was on the island on my own. A perfect chance to enjoy the peace and quiet and reflect on the time I have been here and all the incredible achievements our group has made this month. Eventually Noel joined me and we set to work. We shared the workload and soon had all the bolts tighten and hopefully Orang proof. The call of prayer signaled our departure back to the centre with a little detour to the new feeding platform which I hadn't yet seen. Full marks to the guys who built that it's literally in the middle of the jungle with no space around it! 

We packed away and said our goodbyes to the centre and made our way home. Dinner was at a lovely seafood restaurant where we ordered half the menu and all tucked in. Some of the best food so far. We were accompanied by Ibu the lady who cooks for us and her family. Christine, Iyu and Adi the vets as well as Spanish Paloma the researcher. It was a a great atmosphere and enabled us to say all our goodbyes. It won't be for long I hope to be out here before the years out.
                                                                                                         
                            

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