Orphaned Orangutan Rescued from Illegal Trade

An orphaned baby orangutan named Kinu is capturing global attention following his rescue from the illegal pet trade. Renowned wildlife biologist Forrest Galante shared Kinu's story, revealing the young primate was forcibly taken from his mother and subsequently suffered severe malnutrition during his captivity. This traumatic experience led to significant health issues for Kinu.

Kinu is now under the dedicated care of the Vantara Rescue, where he is provided with a nurturing environment, a proper diet, and attentive rehabilitation. Galante expressed his commitment to Kinu, stating, "While he still doesn't have a mom, he does have me." Social media users have shared their deep empathy and sorrow for Kinu's ordeal.

Orangutans are tragically the most heavily traded primates globally, with an estimated 200 to 1,000 individuals trafficked annually. The majority of this trade is driven by the illegal pet market, which results in a high mortality rate among baby orangutans, often due to the trauma of witnessing their mother's death or enduring inadequate care in captivity.