The let loose tour

The workin day starts at 8am

when we went to the sun bears area and went in the enclosure giving out food...but this has to be hidden randomly in bushes or trees to both stimulate the sunbears and hide the food from the Macau monkeys who Rob the food quickly
We were able to watch them finding the food . The food consists of, cobs of corn 🌽, pineapple, papaya , peanut butter smeared on the trees and other places in the enclosures , bananas , dog biscuits.
We then collected leaves and create enrichment parcels

The leaves were collected in hessian sacks which we then emptied and cut in half.
The sacks were then filled with some leaves, pineapple, papya ,sunflower seeds nuts and wrapped tightly with string to make parcels...which the sunbears have to unravel to find the treat..they are very adept at undoing thm and the monkeys are just as quick..
There is a male sunbear called joejoe.and a 3 legged one that got caught in a snare.
We we able to distrubute the parcels and it was great to watch them getting into the parcels like children at Xmas.
In the afternoon some of us went to chop ferns with a machete again. The others went felling bamboo trees
On their return we all had chance to slice off the rough bits with a machete and then use a saw to cut the bamboo into sections. At some point the bamboo sections will be used for enrichment purposes for the animals
Whilst at the workshed we noted that there was something going on in the veterinary clinic and went to look ...not sure it was OK to do so ..but was amazing to see an orangutan having surgery. Some volunteers have brought items that would help the project as suggested on the pre trip information.I've been unable to do so with travelling so feel uncomfortable about this but it can't be helped. I may make a donation before I leave.
The weather has been bit cooler as there was a thunderstorm whilst we were chopping ferns for nesting materials as the orangutans make a fresh nest each night . I coped reasonably well with the thunderstorm.
Great fun as ever to stand at the back of the Hilux jeep and duck the tree branches

Everyone enjoyed chatting over dinner and into the eveningЧитать далее

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 individualЧитать далее

Actually had chance to chill today till 4pm.when we are going on a trip out.
So i caught up with my penguins app , tidied my clothes/ suitcase and sorted / disposed of any paperwork no longer needed. Also put out my washing which is being done for me by the staff here, which has been brilliant.
Generally just chilled round the Lodge and in my room
At 4pm, we set off for a river cruise through the rain forest on the Black River.
Unlike when Matthew and I went to the rainforest, which was just the two of us with a boat that had an outboard motor,and you could hear a pin drop while cruising which was very atmospheric ,today's boat was a noisy boat suitable for a group.
The plan was to see the Probiscus monkeys 🐒. When we stopped at the point where they were a small crocodile 🐊 got in the water at the side of the boat according to some of the other volunteers.
We moved on and were heading towards the sea 🌊 in this knackered rowing type boat. I joked that If anyone missed the flight on fri ,they could go via the sea in this boat .
We passed some very impoverished houses on stilts in the water ...but the people were lovely and everyone waved ..if the babies didn't wave the parents took their arm and helped them to wave..I blew a kiss to one family as they were making heart shape with their fingers..the little boy approx 4yrs old blew a kiss back it was a lovely experience .although apparently poor they did have mobiles and were filming us as much as we were filming them.
On the way back the boat owner spotted a yellow and black snake 🐍, which we stopped to photograph.
Back on land ,we went to the night market which was just stalls down both sides of the road. Cars scooters etc whizzing along the road ,making the whole thing a rather hazardous experience ,but used to it by now.
Eventually, we returned to the Project, had dinner and the end of Finding Nemo ,which some had been watching earlier.Читать далее