WORLD ORANGUTAN DAY

The monitor bleeped reassuringly albeit monotonously, parameters were in normal range and there was a sense of relief that the anaesthetic procedure was going according to plan, although we were already an hour into the procedure and the surgeon needed more time. Normal you would think, but this was no ‘normal’ situation, tensions were high, sweat was evident on brows. The reason, our patient was a 40 year old Orangutan, one of the most critically endangered great apes on the planet with maybe only 70,000 left in the world. Apart from severe tooth associated abscesses he would need complicated extractions, a lengthy procedure and the ambient temperature was 35C, the intense humidity energy sapping.

Rescued from imminent danger in a human/orangutan conflict situation this magnificent wild animal was now confined in a solitary cage in a rescue centre and would likely only be a candidate for release back to the wild if our surgery (and anaesthetic!) was successful. No pressure. Under the harsh surgery light the bare footed team of vets from the centre, specialists and Orangutan Veterinary Aid (OVAID) worked quickly and efficiently together, subdued tones of advice and guidance from the anaesthetist & surgeon muffled only by the cacophony of jungle sounds outside.
 
This is a description from our workshop just two weeks ago.


For OVAID every day involves orangutan in some way and so World Orangutan Day could easily merge into the routine but we recognise it as a spotlight on the charismatic creature we love so dearly and work so hard for and celebrate that its plight is highlighted to the world at least on this one day.
 
This year OVAID celebrates World Orangutan day with the successful completion of a week long workshop held in East Kalimantan, Borneo which in July & August trained 10 orangutan vets in the skills of anaesthesia, cardiology and dentistry.

Prior to this workshop the veterinary teams in most orangutan rescue centres in Indonesia had been requesting support and because of the lack of both equipment and skill sets, the level of dentistry able to be accomplished by the vet teams was minimal. Cardiology proved to be a subject which most vets were eager to acquire more knowledge on and, as the workshop progressed the usefulness of the multi-disciplinary approach used by the three veterinary specialists became obvious with anaesthetic procedures becoming clearer and safer when backed by the cardiological data and the dental procedures becoming smoother and safer.

Not only did this project bring new skill sets to these young rescue centre vets but it hugely improved the welfare of both Orangutan and Sun bears. Using equipment donated by private veterinary centres and foundations and with many items supplied by JAK Marketing Ltd, OVAID were able to facilitate an intensive learning experience provided by the three world experts in anaesthesia, cardiology and dentistry:

Gerhard Putter, BVSc MRCVS MANZCVS (Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery) Diplomate of the European Veterinary Dental College, Head of Dental & Maxillo Facial surgery, Dick White Referrals, Cambridge.
Laurent Locquet, Diplomate ECVIM-CA (Cardiology) - Cert. Perfusionist - Hon. Ass. Professor University of Nottingham - GPCert(VC) MRCVS DVM Cardiologist, Dick White Referrals, Cambridge.
Aleksandr Semjonov, DVM, PhD. Chief Clinical Officer (CCO), senior veterinary anaesthesiologist and senior lecturer at Estonian University of Life Sciences

Whilst everyone must look at the broader picture when working in conservation we pride ourselves on helping to improve the care and welfare of individual rescued orangutan. 
We may be a small sticking plaster on the great wound of human / orangutan conflict but we are nevertheless making  a significant contribution to the conservation of the species.
 
Training programmes like this are vital in equipping these dedicated young orangutan rescue veterinary teams with the skills they need to improve the welfare of this critically endangered species.
 
We can only do this through the dedication of our supporters and sponsors like JAK Marketing.


Dr Nigel Hicks & Sara Fell Hicks
Co-founders
Orangutan Veterinary Aid

www.ovaid.org

Help us to help them...

At J.A.K we provide ongoing support to OVAID through both financial and equipment donations. We donate 10p from each pack/roll and 50p from each box of all Purfect Disposable Drapes purchased.