JIRO, JOJANG'S NEW BABY BROTHER

The tiny baby orangutan was embraced tightly by his mother. He was still wet. His eyes were still tightly closed. He had just been born into this world a few minutes before.

Vet Fiet from the Nyaru Menteng Medical Team was checking his condition from outside of the enclosure and despite being unable to examine him directly, the medical team observed his regular breathing and overall condition which were reportedly normal and healthy.

The mother’s was also in good health, albeit looking exhausted after delivering her beautiful baby. She devoured the eggplant and other fruit given to her, trying to restore her strength after enduring the trials of labour. Finishing her meal, she lay down and placed her baby on her chest. While caressing the newborn, she finally fell asleep from exhaustion.

Happiness for Jane and BOS Foundation
That day, June 17 2013, was a joyful day for orangutan mother Jane and for all of us at the BOS Foundation. Jane safely delivered her second child, Jiro which is a Japanese word meaning the second son. Jane’s first son, Jojang, was born on June 1 2007.

Jane and Jojang were top candidates for our orangutan release event in February 2013, together with another 18 orangutans. However, Jane was found to be pregnant and we had to postpone her and Jojang’s release into the wild for their safety. We were naturally concerned that the long trip to the forest and release process posed too much of a risk to the unborn baby she was carrying. For that reason, Jane had to stay a little longer in the quarantine enclosure until the baby was born.

Jojang Welcomed His Baby Brother
Jojang, Jane’s first son, revealed his dislike when the Medical Team checked his newborn brother. He swung high up in the top of the enclosure while kiss-squeaking crossly towards the medical team. He also kicked and hit the sides of the enclosures, making loud noises throughout the whole quarantine complex.

Jane was sound asleep and was totally ignoring his behaviour. But the next day on, Jane expressed annoyance at Jojang’s behavior.

Jojang himself was very curious about the new addition in his family. Several times he tried to come closer to Jiro, but Jane would not let him. The new mother was being naturally very protective of Jiro who she holds tightly in her arms constantly. For the first 3 or 4 days, Jane showed her dislike whenever Jojang tried to approach his little brother.

Now is very different and Jane has let Jojang to approach, and even once in while, to touch Jiro! Jojang looks very amused by Jiro. Unfortunately for Jojang, he still can’t play with Jiro because he is still too young. For now, Jojang can only play alone in the enclosure, and sometimes he sits very close to his Mum who is busy taking care of Jiro.

Congratulations, Jane!
Now one month old, little Jiro looks healthy and his red brownish hair is growing thicker. Lovingly and attentively, Jane nurtures Jiro, until someday in the future Jiro will become an independent orangutan who is able to live and survive in the wild.

Welcome to the world, Jiro! For now, Jane will take care of Jiro in Nyaru Menteng until they are ready to be reintroduced into the wild. When the time comes, Jane and her little family will be back to their true home in the forest, to join the other orangutans living in the beautiful forest of Bukit Batikap. Then, like the well known films, we will have a Tarzan and a Jane in the forest!