Our closest relative - People of the Forest (Orangutan Diary)

Member Name: genmil

Product:	Orangutan Diary
Date:	18/03/09 (217 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well documented program, lots of coo and ahh moments

Disadvantages: none

I have been following the latest series of Orang Utan Diary currently running on BBC2 on Wednesday at 8pm. The one hour documentary is presented by Steve Leonard and Michaela Strachan from the Nyaru Menteng Centre in Borneo.

In the series, Steve and Michaela follow the staff of Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation as they go about their rescue mission to help save young and orphan Orang Utan from getting killed or sold as pets.

Orang Utan which means "People of the Forest" are a species of great ape found mainly in South East Asia on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. True to its name "People of the Forest", the gentle red ape demonstrates significant intelligence and emotions that is almost similar to human. Research has shown that Orang Utan share 97% of the same DNA as human.

Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation is a charity run by Lone Droscher Neilson aimed to ensure a wild future for endangered Orang Utan. The relentless production palm oil has led to rapid destruction rainforest, the natural habitat of Orang Utan. With their forest home disappearing at a terrifying rate, it's estimated that these magnificent animals will be extinct within 10 years.

In the series, Michaela follow the staffs as they nursed young Orang Utan separated from their parents and left alone to fend for themselves. The setting of the nursery resemblance any child nursery, with baby Orang Utan feeding off the milk bottle, clinging and trusting the carer and sometimes napping in the arms of carer. The behaviour of the young Orang Utan is so childlike, they make me laugh at their playtime and at the same time, I feel anxious when they fall or become ill.

Steve follows the staffs that go around villages and palm plantation, rescuing young and adult Orang Utan before they are caught and killed. It is a dangerous operation for the staff and the Orang Utan and there are usually lots of tension trying to cajole the semi conscious Orang Utan from the tree without hurting them.

The foundation knows that they cannot replicate real parental care and they should not take away their wild and survivial instinct. When a young Orang Utan become healthier and have learned their basic forest skills, they are brought to another sanctuary where they can forage and move freely and safely.

In order to preserve the rainforest, the foundation has purchased more lands in the surrounding area, creating a natural habitat for the Orang Utans, preventing their extinction. So far, the foundation has saved more than 450 Orang Utans and has relocated them to a safe and natural sanctuary.

Watch the Orang Utan diary, you will be enchanted by the young Orang Utan and be amazed by how similar they with human.

More information about the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation here: www.savetheorangutan.org.uk

Summary: Help stop the extinction of Orang Utan.