Our team at SRA in North Sumatra have welcomed a new orangutan rescue, an infant who was tragically taken from his mother.
This little one’s name is Maximus, and he has already captured our hearts.
When our team arrived to rescue him, they were met with a heart-wrenching sight. A local villager had reported that the young orangutan was found alone in a plantation in Tamiyang, East Aceh. He had been captured, separated from his mother, and held illegally.
At just two years old, this precious boy has experienced a tragedy that no infant should ever have to endure. Based on his behavior, it’s likely he was only recently separated from his mother—and even more tragically, she was killed.
The bond between a mother and her infant orangutan is so important. It’s the foundation for survival in the wild, and now, this little one faces a future without his number one caregiver and protector.
In the wild, orangutan mothers are everything to their babies. They are their protectors, teachers, and guides. They nurture their young for years, teaching them vital skills—how to climb, build nests, forage for food, and navigate the jungle. For a young orangutan like little Maximus, being taken from his mother at such a young age is devastating. Without her guidance, he will need to learn his survival skills from his new human carers and other orphaned orangutans.
Thankfully, he is now in the hands of our dedicated team who will work tirelessly to provide the support, love, and care he needs. In mid-November, he received a full medical check-up, and while the trauma he has endured is immense, there is still hope. His physical health is improving, and his spirit remains strong.
His rehabilitation journey has only just begun, but we are hopeful that, with time, he will be strong enough to return to the jungle. His name Maximus means ‘greatness’ in Latin, and we hope to see him become a great cheek padder living in his natural home!
He has a long journey ahead of him, but thanks to the generosity of compassionate donors like you, this little one now has a chance to heal, grow, and eventually return to the wild, where he belongs. Your support makes this possible. Your kindness is his lifeline.
Thank you for standing with us and with him. His future is brighter because of you. 🧡
How You Can Help
This little one is just one of many who need our support. If you are moved by his story, please consider making a donation to help Maximus and more orangutans like him. Your contribution ensures that we can continue our life-saving work, giving orphaned orangutans a future.
Program: Sumatran Rescue Alliance (SRA)
Location: North Sumatra, Indonesia
Run by: SRA is a collaboration with our COP and OIC partners, and the Ministry of Forestry
