Rescued baby orangutan in Malaysia

– Lindsay Barnett – LA Times

Photos: Mark Baker / Associated Press

Last weekend, Malaysian officials rescued three baby orangutans they believe were illegally smuggled into the country. The first was found during a raid on an ostrich farm; when the ostrich breeder was questioned, officials learned that two other orangutans were being kept at a northern Malaysian zoo. (Representatives of the zoo said that it had nothing to do with the smuggling and only accepted the apes because it feared for their safety.)

The three babies were seized. One of them, 7-month-old Tattoo, is shown here with her current caretaker, Ahmad Julaihi of Malaysia’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Because orangutans are a protected species both the ostrich breeder and the zoo could face charges — and face possible prison time — if convicted of keeping the babies without permits.

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