Adoption Renewal - Ugo Blanco (Monthly)

Ugo Blanco was born wild in Bukit Lawang to a female called Fifri. Fifri was released into Bukit Lawang in 1997. Tragically, Fifri died after giving birth to Ugo Blanco and he was sent to Batu Mbelin Quarantine Centre to be raised. He was previously named ‘Ragal Fidel’ after a failed royal visit by a queen but his name was then changed.

Ugo Blanco is a fuzzy ball of mischief. He initiates rough play sessions with his playmates and hits his carers if they intervene. His best playmate is named Miriam and they often play-bite each other. He is very good at climbing. Ugo Blanco will scream loudly for his carer if he wants attention or wants to be picked up. He is very keen on his solid food including various fruits, leaves and sugar cane. He also receives some milk feeds but has a naughty habit of breaking his bottles. He sleeps inside if there is bad weather but will generally sleep with blankets and towels in his rubber swing.

Ugo Blanco is in the large socialisation cage at the back of the quarantine, with a group of several close “buddies”. He is developing into a stable mature healthy orangutan, if still a little timid. He was separated from his “old” friends Miriam and Jarot, as both of them were transferred to the reintroduction centre in Jambi and are now in the process of being released to the wild. Losing these two close friends in particular made him a little depressed at first, but we quickly introduced some new friends to him.

In July, he began playing a lot with Tono and they became very close, often sharing each other’s food and helping each other out if there were any problems with the other orangutans. If Ugo cried for any reason Tono will come to him and hug him, and vice-versa. This raised concern as they were always holding on to each other and we began to worry that this was becoming unhealthy and possibly slow the progress of both of them.

The decision was made to move Ugo into the same cage as Coty, who he knew from earlier times in the clinic and to date they appear good friends. Coty has encouraged Ugo to learn new skills, such as using leaves to make a nest, how to steal food from other orangutans and is much more adept at swinging around on the ropes and toys in the cage. Indeed he is beginning to come out of his shell and finally gain confidence and independence. Tono is also doing very well.

When Ugo Blanco is older we are hoping he will be released to the wild at the reintroduction center in Bukit Tigapuluh, however, he remains still a little too young to me moved on from the quarantine centre and will most likely stay there with us for at least another year.