Orangutan Diary

Mama Abut and her baby, found starving in a palm oil plantation, get a second chance at life when a handful of rescued orangutans are flown deep into the wild heart of Borneo and to freedom.

The Rescue Team battles along miles of muddy roads and into the night, hoping to save a young orangutan held illegally in a tiny crate. We meet orphans Peanut and Pickle enjoying their daily tickles, and try to help Ruthie, a self-harming orangutan traumatised by her time in captivity and left psychologically scarred. After a terrifying fall, Sumanto, an orangutan already weakened by illness, fights for his life.

The Rescue Team search for an orangutan seen dangerously close to a village school and technician Heskia risks a death-defying climb to get Bonny back where she belongs. There are life-changing moments in store for massive male Hercules, the hairiest orangutan you will ever meet, as he heads off for his annual holiday, and Noddy is top of the nursery but nervous about his first day at school.

The confiscation team set off on their most demanding rescue yet, and confront the armed captor of two baby orangutans. There is a lot to take in for Noddy on his first day in Forest School and massive male Hercules enjoys a taste of freedom on the river islands.

This week, after months of planning, the massive and emotional task of releasing more rescued orangutans is finally underway. Boats, planes and helicopters are standing by to take Mama Pika, her baby and 23 other rescued orangutans deep into the wild heart of Borneo where they can start life afresh.

Steve Leonard and Michaela Strachan catch up with some of the orangutans and people who've made their time at the world's biggest ape rescue operation such a rich experience. There have been dramatic rescues, loveable orphans with tragic stories and the emotional release of orangutans back to the wild. We reflect on the work of the centre and the long-term fate of over 600 rescued orangutans in its care. Can some of our closest animal relatives be saved from extinction?