Orangutan Diary (2007) s02e08 Episode Script

(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) MICHAELA: This week on Orangutan Diary.
Malaria hits the clinic, but not everyone's pleased with Dr David's idea of treatment.
(WHIMPERING) Fugitive Bento refuses to come quietly.
When he's on the ground, he was very dangerous.
MICHAELA: And after months of planning, the team are finally on the verge of releasing more orangutans into the wild.
It's just a great feeling that you actually can physically put out 24 wild orangutans out into where they should be.
(LAUGHING) Is that so funny? MICHAELA: Lone Droscher Nielsen runs the biggest ape rescue operation in the world.
The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation cares for more than 600 rescued and confiscated orangutans.
Babies in nursery needing 24-hour care, orphans in Forest School learning the skills they'll need in the wild and older orangutans, who've graduated to the river islands and are almost ready for release.
Their homes are destroyed so fast they face extinction.
But the team here do everything they can to rescue, care for and return orangutans to the few safe places left in the wild.
STEVE: Orangutans grow up fast and this part of Forest School is home to the older ones.
They're on the verge of graduating to the islands and, just like human teenagers, some can be real delinquents.
All right, little one.
Anyone? Anyone? Bananas? Ooh! Now, easy, tiger.
Patience is a virtue.
And so is smacking someone with a stick, by the looks of things.
Ow! Ah, you beggar! (LAUGHING) When you're so used to babies here, you forget that they're gonna grow into these guys.
These guys are so much stronger, they're much bigger.
They're probably as strong as me now, now that they're this age.
And it's not just that physical size and strength, it's an attitude problem as well.
The babies all very, very dependent on human contact and wanna be held close and everything else, but, as they get older and more independent, they want to spread out.
So this is quite an unnatural gathering, but unfortunately it's the constraint Watch yourself, Sam.
(TREE CRASHING) (LAUGHING) Well done, Leo.
Yeah.
As I was saying, very strong.
(LAUGHING) These guys can trash this forest.
If you look around you, they've basically pulled all the smaller trees down.
They're that big and strong.
And that's why, when they get bigger than this, they have to be put out into the island.
And there, they're pretty much fed and left to their own devices, because they're just too big and strong.
You can't discipline them, you can't sort of control them.
And they can actually be quite dangerous.
You can imagine what would happen if this lot were loose in the local village.
That's why the dry season is a headache for Bram, one of the medical team.
The water's so low that orangutans on the island have been escaping.
And, this time, Bram has a real Houdini on his hands, Bento.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) STEVE: Bento's a young, testosterone-fuelled male.
It makes him dangerous.
Especially as he grew up here and is used to people.
Bram has to get him back.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) The islands are home to the largest orangutans in Lone's care.
Apart from being fed, they're left alone to encourage independence.
Some, like Bento, are ready for release.
But, right now, Lone can't find anywhere for him in the wild.
If the forest destruction continues, Bento could spend his whole life waiting here.
He's decided to take matters into his own hands.
It's not the first time he's escaped from his home on Bangamat Island.
Three times he run out from the Bangamat Island.
Bento is very dangerous.
If he can kill persons here, very difficult and very big problems for us.
STEVE: The last thing Bram wants is Bento running riot in the local village.
He has to get him back.
MICHAELA: Whenever orangutans spend time in contact with humans, there's also risk they could catch one of our diseases and that can cause real problems for Lone and the team.
With so many orangutans at the centre now, it's really important that any coughs and fevers are spotted quickly and any sick orangutans are isolated, so that the problem doesn't spread through the whole class.
And it's not just coughs that are catching.
Diseases like malaria can spread at an incredible rate through the whole of Forest School.
Once the patients are brought here to the clinic, they get plenty of TLC from the babysitters and the medical team can keep a close eye on them.
But it's important they don't skip too much school.
There's a lot to learn if they're going to be released back into the wild.
So, as soon as they're better, it's straight back to Forest School.
STEVE: Marley, here, is new in class.
He missed his first few days because of malaria.
And last time on Orangutan Diary, we saw him finally well enough to join his new classmates.
He's having a tough time and looks like he could still do with a few days' rest.
Things are a bit more boisterous out here.
But Marley doesn't seem to mind being the classroom plaything.
But there are some unwelcome visitors moving in.
Even though they're small, these wild macaques aren't afraid of tackling the bigger orangutans and can be really aggressive.
A few weeks ago, Robert, another orangutan in Forest School, was badly bitten and he's a pretty big boy.
(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Marley is still very weak and needs to avoid getting involved.
Luckily, one of his larger classmates seems to be looking out for the little ones.
With trouble brewing, Marley makes a sharp exit and his saviour moves into position and takes up arms.
(SCREECHING) While the macaques are sorting out a few unresolved issues of their own, it's the perfect time to sneak up! That'll teach 'em.
Some scientists believe orangutans are more intelligent than chimps.
They have culture and use tools.
They make rain hats from leaves, use twigs to winkle out ants and, thankfully for Marley, can also wield a large stick.
It's this intelligence that also enables a hungry orangutan to remember which tree are fruiting in the forest and where to find them.
But if you're going to use tools, it's a good idea to hold on to them.
Macaques may be small, but they've got guts.
(SCREECHING) And, now, they've pinched the stick.
But, at least, they're leaving Marley alone.
He barely looks like he could make it out of a paper bag.
Let's hope he can stay out of trouble long enough to make a full recovery.
Bram has finally tracked down Bento, the dangerous young male who escaped from his island.
Even though he's ready for release, they can't leave him on the mainland.
In the wild, he could wander several kilometres a day.
And, in this populated area, that would quickly take him into the local villages.
Yeah.
Now, we found Bento and are trying to tranquilise him.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) STEVE: One look at the tranquilising gun and Bento decides he's having none of it.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) A tranquilising dart will help the team move him safely, but Bento's an experienced fugitive with a few tricks up his sleeve.
Last time, he was on the run for three days and is learning all the time.
Every time Bram gets into position, Bento hides behind the tree.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) STEVE: Bento's tasted freedom and isn't coming quietly.
He's decided to escalate things.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) (CRASHING) Bento has all the ammunition he needs and the technicians are running out of ideas.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) But no one seems especially keen.
Oh, well, nothing ventured.
MICHAELA: Over 600 orangutans are cared for at the centre.
But, for a handful, this is a very special day.
It's taken months to organise and finance, but the team are finally ready to take 24 orangutans back to the wild.
With resources limited, Lone can only afford to release orangutans with the best possible chance.
The skills they need to survive in the wild must be fresh in their minds.
So only the most recent arrivals qualify for this release.
Nearly all the medical team are involved and even some of the orangutans have worked out something special is going on.
I was up at 4:00 this morning just to make sure that everything was totally in place.
I like to know that everything is gonna go smoothly.
Everybody has the plans, they know exactly what they're gonna do.
What time planes are departing and what time are they arriving.
Everything is really worked out to the last minute.
Well, today we're doing 16 adults and Mama Pika with her baby, so 16 adults and one baby.
(SQUEAKING) MICHAELA: Since Mama and Baby Pika were rescued, Lone has deliberately kept their contact with humans to a minimum.
The kid's squeaking shows she's unhappy close to people, which is a good thing.
In the wild, staying away from humans could save her life.
Tranquilising them will keep them calm and, when they wake, they'll be on their way to the closest area of forest Lone could find.
But it's so far away, she had to charter her own plane.
Fifteen others will be joining Mama and Baby Pika on the flight.
It may not be done with ceremony, but it's done quickly and with care.
When these sleeping animals wake, they'll be on their way back to the wild.
STEVE: Bento is making his own bid for freedom, but can't be allowed to escape.
Everyone's full of helpful suggestions.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) But not if he takes someone with him.
Bento is quite capable of pulling the technician off the tree and shaking it is doing nothing to improve his mood.
BRAM: Bento was angry, you know.
Yeah.
Tried to break the trees.
STEVE: Not great news for the technician stuck halfway up.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Okay, okay, good, good, good, good.
Yeah, stay there.
Stay there, stay there.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Yeah, not so easy to rescue Bento.
STEVE: Bento is intelligent, resourceful and desperate for freedom.
But, in this populated area, he could cause havoc.
The team will come back later but you can bet, he'll be ready.
(CHATTING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) MICHAELA: The team is still preparing Mama Pika and the other orangutans for their momentous journey back to the wild.
It's not first class travel, but they'll soon be on their way to freedom.
As well as the orangutans' names, these labels reveal the oil palm plantation where they were found.
A reminder that the destruction of the forest to grow palm oil is the biggest threat facing orangutans in the wild.
But their brush with death may have been for the best.
They'll now be released into a protected area and, unlike orphans in Forest School, Baby Pika has a teacher no human can replace, her own mother.
(SIGHING) You're really heavy.
Yes, you are, you're really heavy.
MICHAELA: Releasing Forest School orangutans like Bento will be more of a challenge.
They're used to people and could end up in trouble.
But everyone's hopeful that, if the crisis in the wild improves, all the orangutans here can one day return.
Even those skipping school.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) It's just a short ride to the airport and, from there, Mama Pika and her baby will be on their way to the closest piece of forest Lone could find.
Almost 200 kilometres away, right in the heart of Borneo.
(INDISTINCT DISCUSSION) No matter how well the orangutans in the centre are cared for, everyone here knows the forest is the best place for them.
And just a few miles down the road, the plane is already waiting to take them there.
STEVE: In the forest, Marley is still shuffling around like an old man.
He's been keeping to himself up in the trees.
But it's time to make his way back to the babysitters for a drink.
But getting to the milk means running the gauntlet.
He's one of the smallest in class and there are some big boys here that enjoy a bit of rough and tumble and some of them will tumble into anything.
Marley better watch out.
Poor Marley.
He's too much of a target for the playground bullies.
He puts up a brave fight but really doesn't have a weight advantage.
It's all boisterous play and Marley doesn't seem to mind.
But he's not interested in testing his strength against the big boys.
He'll join in though his heart's not in it.
But at least it's helping to make him stronger after his illness.
End of round one, time for refreshment.
Marley has certainly earned it.
But he won't be going back out for another bout.
It's just not his style.
What's really encouraging is that, while some are content to roll in the mud, Marley is showing signs of independence and has turned into one of the best climbers in the group.
In this unnatural setting, being the best wrestler is all well and good, but it won't count for much in the wild.
It's own his own in the trees that Marley will find everything he'll need to survive.
So seeing him like this, you can't help feeling, "He's gonna be fine.
" The forest really is the best place for him because his old friends in the clinic have gone down with another bout of malaria.
It's the downside of having so many orangutans living in one place.
David the GP has come round to check up on them.
I've had about another 20 cases of malaria in the last couple of days.
It hits these little ones quite hard.
Getting high fevers, they need quite intensive treatment.
This is why we happen to douse them with water on a regular basis to keep their temperature under control.
So it's a lot of work, but, so far so good.
We're successfully treating them.
Once we get a certain number of cases, it tends to spread more within the actual community.
So it can be a really huge outbreak.
So we have to try and sit on this as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, we could literally have 50, 100 cases here and that would be disastrous for everybody.
STEVE: Although not all the orangutans know what's good for them.
Bebe is the first one into any mud pools or any water normally.
But when we actually have to cool her down, then she's the first one to try and run away.
So, she doesn't like it at all.
She's very feisty.
I think it's just that we're trying to do it to her rather than she's trying to do it to herself.
STEVE: Bebe doesn't look too pleased with Dr David's idea of treatment.
Marley had a lucky escape.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Heldy, another member of the medical team, has taken over in the hunt for the master fugitive Bento.
Bento's tried two strategies to evade capture so far.
A dance through the trees and throwing the biggest branches he can find.
Now he's about to show them exactly why he can't be trusted on the mainland.
(DISCUSSION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Heldy has to hit the arms or legs, if possible.
It's only a tranquiliser dart, but a chest hit could kill.
It would be easier if Bento was running away.
But that's not his style.
Go, go, go! (ANIMATED DISCUSSION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) STEVE: Up in the trees, Heldy finally has a clear shot.
(GUN FIRES) (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Tracking down Bento has been a real challenge for the team.
This intelligent orangutan has outwitted them nearly every step of the way.
He's finally back in custody and on the way to the island.
If the crisis facing Borneo's wild orangutans continues, it's the best home the team can offer him.
MICHAELA: Mama Pika and her baby are two of the lucky ones.
On the runway, the plane that will take them to freedom is waiting.
It's an unusual and potentially dangerous cargo.
But if a big male gets loose on board, David is prepared.
One as big as Gromik potentially can actually burst out of one of those metal cages and has done in the past.
So we have to be ready to sedate them very, very quickly, if it happens, if an arm comes bursting out in there.
Given that they're seven times our strength.
So we have to be really, really careful.
So I've got my ketamine and sedation tools ready, taped to me.
Because I don't really want them in my pocket, just in case I bend over and inject myself.
And I don't think I'm gonna be that useful otherwise.
So, it's easier that way.
It's an immense amount of organisation, mainly done by Lone, again.
It's just a great feeling that you actually can physically put out 24 wild orangutans out into where they should be.
MICHAELA: And Mama Pika and her baby are amongst them.
Lone hopes this is just the first of many more releases.
The plane's almost loaded and Lone's visibly relieved things are going well.
The team have worked so hard to make this happen that, just for a few seconds, they stop and mark the occasion.
But Lone doesn't have time to celebrate.
Across the tarmac, there's something else waiting for her.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) She's worked for months to get 24 orangutans into the wild and, on the day the first 16 fly out, three more arrive.
With the plane about to taxi down the runway, Lone rushes back to the centre to settle the new arrivals.
STEVE: Bento is a short boat ride from the island.
The best home the centre can offer him.
It's better than a cage, but it's not the wild and, if the crisis in Borneo continues, Bento may never taste true freedom.
Orangutans that arrived fully grown with a natural fear of humans will always be the first in line for release.
And as wild orangutans continue to flood in, Bento may never get to the top of the list.
You can't blame this intelligent animal for taking matters into his own hands.
It's not the first time an unconscious Bento has been carried up this beach.
It would have been easier to keep him out of trouble in a cage.
But, despite the headache he has caused, the team would much rather he was here, enjoying the closest thing to freedom they can offer.
Although, looking at that face, you can't help feeling, it won't be long before Bento is planning his next big break.
MICHAELA: After seeing off 16 orangutans at the airport, Lone arrives back at the centre with her three new arrivals.
It's never-ending.
I take some out and I get some in.
(RATTLING) MICHAELA: And with no seatbelts suitable for baby orangutans, it's been an eventful journey.
Unfortunately, I had to put little Frankie here into the cage because he wanted to do the steering.
(CHUCKLING) And that was not very safe.
We nearly went into the ditch out by the airport.
Let's go over.
MICHAELA: Thanks to Lone, these three babies can look forward to a future in Forest School.
On the other side of Borneo, with no centre like this, they'd have spent their life in a cage.
At least now, they have a chance at freedom.
But more orphans are arriving all the time.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) LONE: Well, sometimes it's just like totally crazy.
We've had months where we've gotten, like,17 new orangutans arriving in just one month.
That did not include the wild ones, that was only for rehab.
They're gonna go through the whole rehabilitation process.
So it's still gonna be another, maybe, five or six years down the line before they're gonna be released.
They'll end up on one of the islands eventually and then finally be released.
MICHAELA: Three more babies means three more mothers killed.
One brief violent act means that 180 people who work here must devote the next five or six years to their care.
As Lone settles these babies in, she knows a handful of orangutans are flying to freedom.
But she can never forget there are still over 600 more to go.
Next time on Orangutan Diary.
After months of preparation, Lone gets to see Mama Pika finally released back into the wild.
For us, getting to the end of this road is like, it's so wonderful.
Every single orangutan here, that we're releasing now, we actually saved from being killed.