AN AMAZING ENCOUNTER WITH SVENJA
Our PRM team in the Hiran watershed of TNBBBR conducts phenology surveys and unexpectedly encountered Svenja.
Abbie’s long journey by road to the Kehje Sewen Forest was finally completed. On May 12, the atmosphere at Camp 103 was cheerful. The Team was ready to release Abbie, who was in a very good health condition physically and mentally. We left Camp 103 at 8.20 am and arrived near the entrance to Mount Belah at around 8.50 am.
The Release Team followed the narrow track, crossing the river five times, to get to the acclimatization enclosures. As we arrived at around 9.15 am, Abbie just woke up. She seemed to be lazy this morning and decided to sleep in. However, she looked relaxed, happy and calm.
The Team served breakfast, which Abbie accepted with joy. Abbie always had a big appetite. She finished her breakfast heartily and began to climb up and down her enclosure while observing the surrounding environment.
At 11.20 am, Abbie started to look restless. She obviously couldn’t wait to get out. She even tried to pick the lock a couple of times to let herself out. And as soon as we opened the enclosure, Abbie displayed her well-developed swinging skills. Quick but graceful, she immediately climbed the nearest tree, taking no notice of us who were watching her from the ground. Abbie was too busy and so happy swinging from tree to tree.
The Post Release Monitoring (PRM) Team started working immediately. Walking toward the intersection of Mount Belah, they began to follow Abbie and observe her first day in the forest. While the rest of us… we kept watching her with tears of joy and pride, until she disappeared from our sight. Abbie is home at last. Goodbye, dear Abbie. Take good care of yourself.
We hope that you’ll love your new home in Kehje Sewen. We will miss you, but the PRM Team will always keep a close eye on you.