Rare albino orangutan recovering after rescue

An extremely rare albino orangutan rescued from a cage in a Borneo village is gaining weight and strength under veterinary care.

Activists from the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation rescued the animal on April 29, and have been caring for her since.

She has gained 10 pounds in 10 days, though is still underweight at 40 pounds but improving. Veterinarians started her drinking milk and eating sugar cane. They have added bananas, pineapples, and oranges to her diet.

“We are still observing the condition of her skin and eyes,” said veterinarian Arga Sawung Kusuma. “Overall she has been showing good progress over the last 10 days.”

As an albino, the animal’s skin and eyes are especially sensitive.

This is the first albino orangutan BSO has seen in 25 years of operation.