Kusasi, Orangutan King Card from Zazzle.com

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Kusasi, Orangutan King Card by Rebecca_Reeder

The PBS television special "From Orphan to King" tells the story of this very extraordinary orangutan, Kusasi. Sadly, after all of these years, the inevitable seems to be looming: the end of Kusasi's very lengthy reign. When I went to Camp Leakey with Dr. Birut Galdikas in June 2008, Kusasi was badly injured by a challenger to the throne. As an adult, Kusasi has limped back to the area where Camp Leakey employees are stationed only when in need of medical help. The evening that I took this photograph I gasped when I first saw him for I was stunned by his injuries. The pink area on his scalp is a wound, and there is a piece of his lower lip that is hanging as well. I offer this photograph as a piece of wildlife history and a tribute to this extraordinary orphan king. When I have an update on Kusasi, I will post the information here. One of Birut Galdikas's books, Reflections of Eden, discusses Kusasi at length. The entire book is interesting! * * * * * * * UPDATE as of January 31, 2008: Kusasi is still alive, but he is avoiding the younger and now more dominant male.

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The PBS television special "From Orphan to King" tells the story of this very extraordinary orangutan, Kusasi. Sadly, after all of these years, the inevitable seems to be looming: the end of Kusasi's very lengthy reign. When I went to Camp Leakey with Dr. Birut Galdikas in June 2008, Kusasi was badly injured by a challenger to the throne. As an adult, Kusasi has limped back to the area where Camp Leakey employees are stationed only when in need of medical help. The evening that I took this photograph I gasped when I first saw him for I was stunned by his injuries. The pink area on his scalp is a wound, and there is a piece of his lower lip that is hanging as well. I offer this photograph as a piece of wildlife history and a tribute to this extraordinary orphan king. When I have an update on Kusasi, I will post the information here. One of Birut Galdikas's books, Reflections of Eden, discusses Kusasi at length. The entire book is interesting! * * * * * * * UPDATE as of January 31, 2008: Kusasi is still alive, but he is avoiding the younger and now more dominant male.
created by Rebecca_Reeder (1/11/2009 7:04 PM)

Comment Wall (showing 6 of 6) ( Add a comment | See all)

iloveyourshirt said 1 week ago

Fantastic pictures. I just watched his documentary along with other orangutan documentaries on Animal Planet. Orangutans are such charming creatures, they are pretty much like us. I will be opening a new Zazzle gallery soon and all profits will be donated to charities who support saving this amazing animals.

edem13 said 2/22/2009

This is a beautiful picture

jkreves said 2/21/2009

What an interesting story, AND gallery! I'll have to keep visiting to check in!

Emazevedo said 2/2/2009

Thank you Rebeca!

I loved to get your message and know that Kusasi is ok now. I also want to thank you for the nice comments on my products. You are very kind! Hugs! Edite

Rainmountain said 1/22/2009