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Mubali’s story

Rescued, rehabilitated and thriving in the wild once more!

12/07/2024

Rescue & Rehabilitation

In September 2023, the team at Sepilok received a distressing report from the Sabah Wildlife Department regarding an injured adult male orangutan. Three members of our team, Dr Yohind, Pamik, and Jergen, immediately set off to assess the situation.

Upon arrival, they found the orangutan in a critical condition—extremely underweight with severe wounds and swelling in one leg. Urgent medical intervention was necessary for his survival.

For the orangutans’ safety and wellbeing and to protect the team from any potential injury, it was necessary to sedate him. This allowed the team to carry out emergency treatment, including some desperately needed fluids to help with rehydration, a dose of antibiotics to stem infection, and an inspection of his wounds and limbs.

From this initial assessment, the cause of his injuries appeared to be a result of fighting with another orangutan. Whilst orangutans are generally a very quiet and gentle animal, when two males cross over into the other’s territory it can lead to conflict, which in this instance had severe consequences.

Injured male orangutan sitting in a vet clinic enclosure

The team transferred the orangutan into a transportation crate, which they had lined and covered with leaves, to help make him as comfortable and calm as possible, and then made the 3-hour journey back to Sepilok.

X-rays revealed a severe bone infection in his left leg and a fractured right arm. Consulting specialists from the local hospital, known for their orthopaedic expertise, confirmed that surgery was not necessary. Mubali underwent physiotherapy in a newly constructed, spacious enclosure designed to aid his recovery.

Mubali looking down inside a metal transport cage covered in leaves

After nine months of dedicated care and rehabilitation, Mubali showed significant improvement—regaining strength and agility. He was deemed fit to return to the wild.

The Day of Reintroduction

Following some final health checks, Mubali was placed in his travelling crate ready to make the journey back to the protected forest reserve near where he was found.

A team of 14 people from four conservation agencies (Orangutan Appeal UK, Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU), Sabah Wildlife Department Kinabatangan and HUTAN) assembled in the forest. Then began a difficult trek on foot through the dense undergrowth to the release site, with the team having to carry Mubali inside his crate.

  • Adult male orangutan in a moving crate surrounded by leaves looking towards camera through the metal bars of the crate
    Mubali on his way back to the wild
  • two photos one of 14 people standing in the rainforest and the other two people opening a transport crate with an orangutan inside.
    The team and Mubali's release

Victor and Reklin had the honour of sliding open the crate door. As soon as it was open, Mubali gave a farewell glance, did a forward roll and then made his way up a vine into the nearest tree.

Keeping a safe and respectful distance, three members of our Orangutan Appeal UK team, Lineker, Victor and Reklin, and two from HUTAN, remained with Mubali for the rest of the day, documenting every aspect of his behaviour.

During this time he explored his surroundings, foraging for wild fruits and leaves, and taking time out to rest in the trees. Just before dusk, visibly fatigued from the day’s activities, he wove himself a nest to sleep in for the night. The team withdrew to their own accommodation, returning the following day at dawn to continue monitoring him.

They continued to track and observe Mubali for the next few days, watching as his confidence grew and he became more accustomed to his new home and taking advantage of the wide variety of wild foods available including flowers, bark, leaves and fruits such as timahar, clona and Kunau Kunau.

Examples of Mubali's observed diet:

  • Timahar fruit
  • Colona fruit
  • Kunau Kunau fruit
  • Laka
  • Simpoh Laki flower
  • Medang Tiga Urat
  • Insects
  • Ficus Bark
  • Tapako
  • Unknown leaves

On the fourth day, Mubali was ready to signal his presence to the other orangutans in the area. He let out a powerful, resonant long call which carried through the forest.

On the final day, it was clear that Mubali was adapting well, confidently making four long calls through the day. The team decided it was time to leave Mubali to his independent life. At nightfall, after observing Mubali for the final time settling into his nest, they retreated from the forest, with hope for his continued success.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our supporters whose generosity makes stories like Mubali’s possible.

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