An emergency appeal for medicines for the Orangutans at Nyaru Menteng
Malaria has hit the Nyaru Menteng Clinic with devastating results for the Orangutans.
Little Angely recently died of malaria.
Malaria is always a cause for concern at the Nyaru Menteng project and the team must be ever vigilant. In a project that was originally designed to care for only 100 orangutans, there are now more than 650 of them.
Malaria is a common occurrence and causes regular outbreaks amongst the youngsters. In such close quarters this means that, unlike conditions in the wild where orangutans can roam far and wide, disease can spread very quickly and sometimes without mercy.
When Orangutans get malaria they suffer in the same way as we do. They get headaches and severe ‘flu’-like symptoms. With quick treatment and TLC (lots of cuddles and paracetamol) they will usually get back to forest school within 3 weeks. Sometimes though, the malaria-carrying mosquitoes breed rapidly and out of control and this can lead to severe epidemics.
In January 2009, such an epidemic hit the sanctuary. More than 100 orangutans were infected. This was a difficult situation to deal with and the medical team worked day and night to contain the spread and treat each and every patient. Sadly, 10 young lives were lost to a complication called Cerebral Malaria, a condition that can turn a serious illness into a killer in less than 12 hours. Little Togel, pictured above, was amongst the casualties…
We know you appreciate that every orangutan life is precious. And when a life is lost, the need to protect and save every remaining life becomes even greater. It hurts to imagine a world without these intelligent, beautiful creatures, but that is what might happen if we do not do everything in our power to protect each and every individual that falls under our care.
With less than 40,000 of these apes left in the wild, the future of the orangutan in our world could be considered less than promising. But the team of medics and carers at Nyaru Menteng are working tirelessly to make sure such a scenario NEVER becomes real.
Malaria will always be a major cause of illness and a serious drain on resources– which is precisely why we need your help!
A donation to our appeal for medical supplies for the treatment of malaria will help the medical team manage the disease and protect precious orangutan lives.
Please donate now and help us protect young orangutan lives. Your donation can help fund the following much needed medical supplies:
A case of malaria drugs: $20
Malaria test kit: $40
Simple malaria case diagnosis and treatment: $90
Drugs for complicated case: $180
Complicated diagnosis and treatment malaria: $220
Infusion pump: $1000
Thank you so much,
Dr David Irons
Orangutan Medic, Nyaru Menteng
Lone Droscher Nielsen
Manager, Nyaru Menteng
Richard Zimmerman
Director, Orangutan Outreach
March 18th, 2009 at 1:49 am
[...] I received this announcement from Richard Zimmerman of Orangutan Outreach. To learn more about the plight of the endangered orangutans and to find ways you help save them, visit: http://redapes.org/campaigns/medical-appeal/ [...]
March 20th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
[...] not saying it’s a Planet of the Apes Doomsday scenario, but it might be a good time to make a donation to your favorite primate charity, like Red Apes. Yeah, I’m building my alliances with the orangutans — they seem the most willing to be [...]