UPDATE ON BABY MERYL (1)

In Indonesia we are currently going through the annual transition from dry season to wet season and during this period we have to pay even closer attention to the health of our orangutans as this is also a time when many illnesses occur. This year quite a few of our orangutan babies at Nyaru Menteng have been affected, including young Meryl.

Meryl developed a fever and she tested positive for malaria and then later also appeared to develop a flu like virus. Despite her temperature Meryl determinedly continued to play, but she joined a few of her young friends, who were also suffering from the same symptoms, in an isolation group so as not to spread any illness to the healthy babies. With medicines and vitamin supplements the babies started to improve under the watchful eye of a dedicated team of babysitters who were assigned to caring for this small group.

Thanks to the medical team and babysitters, Meryl and her friends are now recovering and have started to play in the baby nursery playground for part of the day. Babysitter Hendra is still focusing on caring for Meryl especially during playtime, since she still has to build up to regaining her full strength after her illness. But we are happy with her progress.