It looked like we were going to have a catch-up day of work and perhaps some rest.
Then, we received an email from Hardi – founder and director of COP (Centre of Orangutan Protection). He invited us to come to Jakarta (JAKARTA!) to join him and other COP members as they stage a protest in the city center. The protest is part of a new campaign by COP to free orangutan kept as illegal pets in Aceh. Dr Lulu’s (Louisa) eyes widened, and suddenly we had to fit five days of filming into two days. Thank goodness we’re organised!
First, another delicious Indonesia lunch prepared by the COP members to keep us all going. They have been feeding us well, and we’ve all been able to enjoy simple but beautiful Indonesian Cuisine whilst staying with the boys. We then set off to visit another local illegal zoo, in order to compare the conditions at KRUS – the illegal zoo where COP assist and where we have spent most of our time.
When we first arrived at KRUS, we were shocked at the living conditions of the animals. The COP team told us that things were far worse before they stepped in to help, but we found this impossible to believe.
We were thoroughly mistaken.
The cages at this zoo were tiny, fouled with days worth of rotting food and faeces, and Louisa observed that the animals were suffering from a myriad of health problems as well as being really, really thirsty.
We found two deeply distressed oriental small-clawed otters in a tiny cage. They both emitted high-pitch screeching, which was absolutely painful to bear for all of us. It was clear they were not getting enough food and water. We had to knuckle up for the filming, but Louisa couldn’t hold it in for much longer and broke down in tears again. It soon turned to anger, and she vowed to return as soon as possible to have these animals rescued.
We found a sun bear pacing, which as Louisa explains is a behavioral response to stress and lack of environmental enrichment. She also identified some other health concerns.
Moving around the zoo we found a macaque with a bolted chain around his neck. It was awful considering he was already locked in the small cage. He seemed to be quite friendly however, and was fond of Louisa.
We found several turtles. One was floating at the top of the surface and quite obviously dead.
Finally I wanted to leave. But Louisa was determined to get some water to the otters who hadn’t stopped screeching. She questioned one of the keepers and with the help of one of our COP guys, we were able to organise some water for them. Even with the water it was clear these little guys wanted out, desperately.
We left the zoo feeling incredibly depressed and frustrated we were unable to help them.
On the way back to the house, we stopped by a small roadside house where a Muller Bornean gibbon was being kept in a tiny cage. Initially I was hesitant about even getting out of the truck after that zoo visit. Seeing yet another animal in a tiny cage left out in the searing sun in appalling conditions was the last thing I wanted to see. Nonetheless I joined the others.
As it turns out, the gibbon had been left in that very cage for all 11 years of his life. Louisa pointed out he was dehydrated and probably hungry, and looked very depressed. Courtney also mentioned how monkeys can convey so much emotion in their faces. This little guys face only really spelt despair and sadness.
Talking to the owners about the gibbon, the lack of education they have when it comes to taking care of animals was evident. To see an animals like this kept in these conditions is appalling, let alone endangered species.
We weren’t undercover at this point, but it’s important for COP to build relationships with locals and earn their trust. The COP member with us told the family he was a veterinarian, so if the family had any health concerns about their gibbon, they can go directly to COP at KRUS for free veterinary assistance. This is a great way to ensure the gibbons well-being is being looked after.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at KRUS to finish filming, and completed an interview with Dr Imam against a backdrop of lush, green rainforest. As the light was fading, we began walking towards the truck ready to go home.
Suddenly, a COP member approached us with him some very sad news: one of the Muller Bornean gibbons had died. We shot up to their enclosure, and became silent as we found one of the male gibbons lying still in the cage. Gibbons are monogamous creatures and mate for life, therefore as Dr Imam and another COP member retrieved the body, they had to be mindful of the distressed female gibbon who was trying to protect her mate.
Louisa grabbed him and was straight down to the clinic with Imam. They both decided to perform an autopsy on the gibbon to ascertain why the poor creature had died. The clinic was bare and lacked some of the equipment needed to perform an autopsy but Louisa and Imam did what they could. This is just another problem of being a vet working for COP in Borneo with no funds.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT AHEAD
Courtney and I had never been present during a surgery/autopsy so it was certainly a new experience for both of us. Louisa and Imam performed the autopsy together while we filmed. Louisa will have a short report on the findings later.
According to Louisa, Courtney and I did really well; apparently most people can’t stand the smell nor seeing a creature like that being cut up with it‘s insides all over the table. Courtney and I concluded we are just hardcore!
After we finished, I suggested that we name the gibbon. We only received one name by that stage from one of our readers, so we went with that: Gadget – for their ‘go-go-gadget’ arms. Thanks to Matt Morrison for that!
We finally finished the night by burning the gibbon on a bed of fire. In Australia and New Zealand we dispose via clinical waste but here there are no such luxuries so the COP team burn deceased animals to safely remove infections and diseases.
We stood around for a while staring at the fire, watching the boys build it and place Gadget on top. A mysterious mix of melancholy and warmth fell on the group as we watched the gibbon burn in the fire, I realised that we really were surrounded by people who do this work with their hearts. And they know this kind of thing will happen again and again. But they just keep moving forward going with the beat of their hearts because they know it is the right thing to do. There is a real sense of pride within COP, and for all of us to be involved and help them with their goals is a blessing. It gives us a sense of responsibility, and determination even in the face of illegally kept pets, the awful zoos, and lack of protection for those most endangered.
We are also able to understand some of the more frustrating complexities of the world we live in. And when it comes to illegally kept pets, the zoos, and the lack of education regarding these things, it only drives us further to act and change things for the better.
Finally, that night we worked on some screen printing of T-shirts to raise funds. Well, the COP guys did and they are awesome! We will be selling them too, so let us know what you would like! There will be variety of colours and sizes, and when we have the prices we will let you know as soon as possible!
See you soon!
Liam
[Dr Lulu's Diary]
Coming soon!
