Relocated and rehabilitated orangutans are enjoying good health in their new surroundings in a protected wildlife reserve in Borneo, thanks to a veterinary care programme supported by Action for the Wild.

The Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve is an area of peat swamp forest dedicated to the conservation of orangutas in their natural home. The Orangutan Foundation is a conservation organisation working with local people, who also depend on the richly biodiverse forest for survival, to promote research and education about protecting these endangered great apes.

The Foundation relocated ten orangutans from oil palm plantations and local villages last year, successfully releasing them within the reserve. Excitingly, six female orangutans at the wildlife reserve gave birth and their offspring joined five other young regularly seen around the protected forest.

An important addition to the reserve was a veterinary field station which means relocated orangutans are assessed and monitored to prevent most health problems or treat them at an early stage.

Colchester Zoo's Action for the Wild charity donated £5,000 in March this year towards the vet's salary and to help support the costs of moving rehabilitated orangutans to safety, such as fuel, medication and food.

Since 2010 Action for the Wild has proudly supported the project and its essential work in securing the future survival of the majestic Bornean Orangutan.

Story kindly written by Sarah Beer, image credit - Brian Matthews

Find out more about Action for the Wild and the Orangutan Foundation at www.actionforthewild.org