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SAWUNG: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY YOU EVER DID SEE

It has been seven months since the last orangutan release, and I feel so lucky because I now get to see my baby boy with his mother in the forest at Batikap. Who is he? He is Sawung; the most adorable baby I have ever laid eyes on. He is one of the main reasons I have returned to Batikap.

Sawung, who is now around two years old, is Sumeh’s second infant. I have had many experiences with Sawung, starting from when he was still in his mother’s womb; I was the one who waited patiently for his mom to pee, so I could check her urine. I once waited a whole day just to get a sample from Sumeh’s to check her growing baby through ultrasound. From the very moment I saw Sawung in his mother’s belly on the ultrasound screen, I just knew he was going to be a handsome little fellow.


Sawung: The Most Beautiful Baby You Ever Did See (Photo credit:Arga Sawung Kusuma)

Sawung: The Most Beautiful Baby You Ever Did See (Photo credit:Arga Sawung Kusuma)

Sawung: The Most Beautiful Baby You Ever Did See (Photo credit:Arga Sawung Kusuma)

In his new, natural habitat of Batikap, I spotted Sawung with his mom along transect 32. It was not that far from the river, around a 20-minute walk through the forest. I expected to find Sumeh and Sawung up high in a tree, as Sumeh loves to climb and explore. Indeed, I found them very high in the trees, around 30 meters above the ground. They were happily eating lunuk, a forest fruit. Sawung appeared very active and at times annoyed Sumeh with his antics, but she was very patient with her little son.

Successful rearing of infants is one of our long-term targets. I strongly believe Sumeh will take good care of her son, and Sawung will grow into a big and handsome, flanged orangutan in the years to come.




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