Baby orangutan rescued in Borneo lived in chicken cage and survived on condensed milk

Budi the baby orangutan finally gets the care he deserves - after being rescued from a cramped chicken cage where he survived on only condensed milk.

The adorable youngster had suffered months of starvation when he was saved by two vets in West Borneo and placed in intensive care after months of neglect.

As a result of his poor treatment, his body was swollen with fluid, he was extremely weak and was unable to move as he suffered from severe anemia.

But after being monitored round the clock by a team at UK charity International Animal Rescue (IAR), he is gradually on the road to recovery.

AR vet Dr Ayu Handayani said: 'From the time Budi was captured as a small baby until the day he was rescued, this little orangutan has lived in a chicken cage on a diet of condensed milk.

'The owner said she was afraid to give Budi any fruits and thought that giving condensed milk would be sufficient.

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'His eyes fill with tears every time he's moved by the doctors and he screams in pain. It's really amazing that Budi has been able to survive this long.'

The authorities were alerted to Budi's case in December when his owner, from Kubing in Ketapang, West Borneo, informed them she was willing to hand over her pet orangutan, who was very sick.

Two representatives of thh IAR,  responded to the call immediately, and after a journey of more than 10 hours by boat and road, baby orangutan Budi finally arrived at the IAR rescue centre in Borneo.

He is now making a slow recovery at the clinic, and after initially not having the strength even to sit up on his own but can now sit unsupported for short periods of time.

He is also being treated for a severe metabolic disease affecting his bones, and his limbs are malformed as a result of months of malnutrition.

It is still too early to know whether he has sustained any permanent damage.

Vet Karmele L Sanchez said: 'We cannot even begin to imagine how much pain this small baby has suffered.

'At the moment we are still worried for Budi’s life and trying to minimise his pain. But he is a very determined little baby and is fighting hard to survive. The weeks and months ahead will be critical to his future and our veterinary team is doing all they can to help him pull through.'

Alan Knight OBE, Chief Executive of IAR, said: 'Budi is yet another victim of the illegal trade in primates in Indonesia.

'He has been deprived of his mother’s love and protection and of his health and freedom just so that someone can make money by selling him as a pet. So far his short life has been filled with pain and misery but from now on he will be given expert care and the best possible chance to return one day to his home in the forest.'