A busy 1st orangutans interaction day.

It was necessary on the way to the orangutan project to have a covid test....and another after 5days for the sake of the orangutans. I've learnt they're susceptible to respiratory infection .
All the group were delighted to be covid negative which meant that today we could actually interact with the orangutans but still only from a one metre distance and wearing masks and gloves.
The morning started with half the group going to collect leaves and the other half clearing out leaves and washing the enrichment containers which were large plastic containers with holes in.... I chose to do the cleaning task and had a hose pipe to rinse the containers once they'd been cleaned and washed in soapy water....In a bit of banter with Wik the volunteer manager ,I splashed her feet with water as pay back for drowning me the other day...
When the other half of the group returned we filled the cleaned containers with leaves, pineapple papaya ,dragonfruit ,bananas sunflower seeds and nuts.
There is really good cooperation between everyone on this project and Kate the volunteer coordinator says we are the easiest group she has had
We then loaded the enrichment tubs in the Hilux truck and I took the chance to ride standing up in the back ..again..loved it...have to watch out and duck under overhanging branches
Today we met the orangutans who for various legitimate reasons are in a more contained environment and delivered the enrichment
Some have respiratory disease and have nebulisers twice a day , which was amazing to see..the technicians who look after them give the orangutans orange juice whilst administering the nebuliser with a small portable unit..held near the nose...quite remarkable I thought
Returning to the work station area, involved a real trek through the forest, felt very jungle like
After lunch , half the group went painting the enclosures for the sunbears and my group jumped on the truck again, standing at the back ,to go to cut ferns for the orangutans nests ...they make a different nest each night.
This time the truck went off road which was really great fun...and passed the helipad .I think when orangutans are being released or brought in ,a helicopter can be used .We cut the ferns and they were piled so high in the truck, but no matter, we had to jump in the back on top of the ferns..with the tailgate down, whilst the driver reversed it on the off road track to a point where he attempted a several point turn reversing us up a bank at one point, despite the fact we were in the back and the tailgate was down ....fabulous!
Returned to the workstation and were able to take the ferns to the more restricted orangutans to make their nests ..
One decided to waft the ferns on to our heads ...and with another I was able to direct a hose pipe next to him.and he reached out with a hand to feel the water ,but also ,leaned over to take a full blast of water as a drink...I loved doing this.
There is no doubt in my mind from what I've seen that there is a commitment from all concerned to make things as good as possible for the orangutans and to strive for their safety ,happiness and overall welfare ,if unable to return to the wild ,but to strive to re-wild as many as possible
Those who have come from a circus or been kept as pets ,would be given a chance to develop skills in the forest school, but if they are unable to achieve the requirements for return to the wild they are cared for at the project in the most appropriate way for the individualLæs mere