Baby orangutan snatched from Borneo rainforest is rescued

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Udin was snatched from the rainforest to be sold as a pet to a local farmer
He was kept alone in a dark cage before being rescued by a UK charity
Tiny baby was malnourished and dehydrated but had no interest in eating
Vets believe he had given up on life and has 'tried to die several times'

Published: 13:46 EST, 30 July 2015 | Updated: 08:07 EST, 31 July 2015

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A traumatised baby orangutan who was snatched from the wild to be sold as a pet was locked up alone in a dark cage and left to die.

It is thought tiny Udin was clinging to his mother when she was killed by poachers in the Borneo rainforest and torn away from her body to be sold to a local farmer.

When he arrived at International Animal Rescue's Orangutan Centre in Borneo, his tiny body was malnourished and dehydrated, but he had no interest in eating or drinking.

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Rescued: Tiny Udin was malnourished and dehydrated when he was rescued and taken to a centre in Borneo

It is thought tiny Udin was clinging to his mother when she was killed by poachers in the Borneo rainforest

The adorable orangutan had given up on life and 'tried to die several times' according to the vets caring for him

Cuddles: Baby Udin snuggles up with a stuffed toy similar to the way he would have interacted with his mother

The vets looking after him believe he had given up on life and 'tried to die several times' following his rescue.

The dying baby showed no interest in his surroundings and refused to look at the rescuers battling to save his life.

A spokesman for UK-based International Animal Rescue, which is raising money for his care, said: 'We wouldn’t let him die and just kept interacting with him and doing lots of physiotherapy and exercises so he could not ignore us and had to learn to trust us as his sole link to survival.

'Eventually, after around ten days, he turned a corner. He started to respond to us and show an interest in food.

'Finally there was a glimmer of light in his sad dark eyes.'

His condition is improving but the charity's chief executive has warned that it could change overnight

Udin was dying of malnutrition when he was rescued by International Animal Rescue, a UK-based charity

Although his condition is more stable, Udin still requires constant care and intensive medical treatment.

Alan Knight, the charity's chief executive, said: 'The vets are doing everything they can to give Udin the best chance of survival.

'From the moment he was rescued, members of the team have stayed with him round-the-clock and still sleep on the floor beside him so that they can comfort and console him during the dark hours of the night.

'He clings constantly to a large fluffy teddy bear, just as he would have clung to his mother in the wild.'

Care: Vets sleep on the floor beside tiny baby Udin so he can be comforted at night when he is scared

Gaining strength: Udin is one of 86 orangutans at the centre and the charity is raising money for their care

But Udin’s story is not an isolated case. Mr Knight explained: 'We have 86 orangutans in our rehabilitation centre, all with stories as heartbreaking as Udin’s.

'What makes his case particularly poignant however is the fact that he had suffered so much that he had completely given up on life.

'By the time we rescued him, his mind and body were shutting down, but our medical team refused to give up on him and slowly they are winning the battle to save him.

'Udin still faces a long road ahead but at least now we all dare hope that eventually he will recover.

'The next few weeks will be a critical time for Udin. The condition of a baby like him can literally change overnight but we will be monitoring his progress on a daily basis for any signs of a deterioration in his health.'