Orangutan With No Arms Graduates From 'Forest School' After Learning Skills To Survive

In the feel good news story you needed today, an orangutan who lost both his arms trying to escape from its captors has finally been released from rehab after learning survival skills.

Little Kopral "graduated" from 'Forest School,' at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, where he was enrolled in a rehabilitation programme following the loss of his arms.

At the school, they taught him to build nests, climb trees, select appropriate natural foods and recognise natural predators.

It comes after he lost both his arms trying to escape captors, after being electrocuted when he climbed an electricity pylon to get out of their reach.

Tragically, after the incident, a taxi took the orangutan to East Kalimantan Orangutan Reintroduction Program in Indonesia, but by this point his arms were so severely burnt and rotting there was nothing that could be done to save them.

Kopral had been kept as a pet since he was a baby, and spent most of his time locked in a cage.

But despite his horrific start in life, the orangutan has now been given another chance, and learnt to climb trees and forage for food using only his legs.

He has now moved to an island complex in Samboja Lestari - an environment that resembles his natural habitat.

A spokesperson from the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation said: "Living on the island affords Kopral the opportunity to enjoy open space, in an environment that resembles an orangutan's natural habitat."

They added: "He was a star pupil at Forest School, climbing trees and building nests with his feet and mouth.

"The majority of the orangutans who enter our facilities are still very young, so in need of orangutan-peer interaction and daily lessons on forest survival.

"This process starts in 'Baby School' and progresses through different levels of 'Forest School', where each day is spent in the forest learning new skills.

"Depending on the age and existing skills each orangutan has, rehabilitation can take up to seven years.

"His physical disadvantage means that he can never be released to the forest, for his own safety.

"However, Kopral has mastered the ability to climb trees and forage for natural food using only his legs. This has allowed him to develop into a relatively independent individual.

"Our technicians and medical team are convinced that Kopral will be able to spend his days on the island without issue."

We're so excited for Kopral to get another chapter, free from his captors.

Featured Image Credit: Caters

Topics: Life News, Animal Welfare, Animals

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

@joannafreedman