Monkey World welcomes young Bornean orangutan Kiwi

Female Bornean orangutan Kiwi was born at Spanish zoo Rio Safari Elche in December but was rejected by her mother shortly after her birth.

The zoo made efforts to reintroduce her to the mother, and also attempted to see if another female orang-utan would adopt her.

Unfortunately, these attempts were unsuccessful so they were forced to hand-rear to save the young female’s life, while her move to Monkey World could be arranged.

Monkey World’s team leader of Orang-utans, Donna Phillips, travelled to meet Kiwi in Spain and spent a week getting to know her.

She then took her back to the UK on board P&O Ferries with the director of Rio Safari Elche and Kiwi’s carer, Anabel Ibanez.

P&O Ferries sponsored the youngster’s sea journey, and provided first class service for the VIP - 'Very Important Primate' - ensuring she and the transport team had the first class deck with privacy so the care team could concentrate on Kiwi’s wellbeing throughout the trip.

Kiwi onboard P&O Ferries (Image: Monkey World) Jack Steer, director of port operations at P&O Ferries, said: "We were delighted to help Monkey World bring Kiwi the baby orang-utan safely to her new home in the UK.

"It is not every day we have an orangutan on-board and it was a special day for our P&O Liberté crew who greeted Kiwi and arranged a quiet place for her to stay as she sailed across the English Channel."

Now, the keepers at Monkey World have two youngsters to care for, as on October 15 they welcomed three-month-old male orangutan, Sibu, from Dublin Zoo after his mother was unable to feed him.

On arrival at the park, Kiwi met young Sibu. The pair have been cared for by Monkey World director Dr Alison Cronin MBE.

She said: "The orangutan nursery at Monkey World provides specialist care and facilities for orphan orang-utans.

"It is so important that the babies grow up with others of their own kind rather than with people so that they mature into health and well-adjusted adults.

"With the addition of Kiwi and Sibu, Monkey World has cared for 13 orphans from seven countries over the years.

"It is hard work caring for two needy orphans but it means the kids will be able to grow up together under the watchful eyes of their older brothers and sisters and adopted mother.

"It is quite an international crowd at the orang-utan nursery and while it is very sad that they are not being cared for by their mothers, all of us from Spain to Ireland to Dorset are doing everything possible to give these gorgeous babies families of their own kind."