The Story of Hercules The Blind Orangutan

Utris has kept apart from his new classmates so far. A coconut might help him feel at home. But as a group two student, he has to figure out how to open it on his own. Is anyone available to help? Meryl is always ready to lend a hand. But she seems to think the new kid in class should share. Utris gives up and Meryl sets about opening her prize. She looks for a stick to help and discovers tools can be dangerous. While Utris protects another coconut from a monkey thief. Down below, Valentino has figured out how to access his coconut. This is real progress for him. As back when he was in group one, he asked his babysitter for help. Now, Mumut tries out his special stare in the vain hope that Valentino will share. Not a chance. Just over a mile east of Nyaru Menteng, the Rungan River flows through jungle, creating what are known as the pre-release islands. This is the last stage of jungle school, home to the 18 candidates who've been chosen to graduate and move to a protected wilderness. But capturing them to move them off the island is a complex operation. The vets rendezvous with the teknisi who are responsible for the island orangutans. And a final briefing ensures everyone is clear on who the candidates are. But this isn't going to be easy. Those chosen have all shown they've got what it takes to live independently in the semi-wild environment of the pre-release islands. But the wilder they are, the more challenging they will be to capture. Tranquilizing darts are prepared. This is the safest way to capture near adult orangutans, both for the apes and the team. First, they have to find them. The team heads for Kaja Island. There are over 40 orangutans living here, which is maximum capacity. And much more crowded than an orangutan would experience in the wild. But today, the treetops and riverbank seem strangely quiet. The call for fruit usually triggers a response. Jungle school graduates never forget it. A male is first to appear. And even at this distance, the teknisi guys know their charges so well, they instantly recognize Bobon. But unfortunately, he's not on the list. Nor are any of the others who respond. But just as they start to move on, someone else comes to investigate the commotion. It's 15-year-old Rebecca. And she is a candidate. The specialist sniper takes aim. But Rebecca is off. Back at Nyaru Menteng, there are others who will benefit from Rebecca's capture. After 12 years at Orangutan Jungle School, 15-year-old Tenker is now too big for class. But he can't move to the pre-release islands until space becomes available. In the meantime, it's not safe for the younger orphans or the staff to interact with adult orangutans, even if they've been through school. It's a constant burden for the staff here, finding room for the older orangutans who are ready to move on. Tenker's weight is frustrating, but at least he has a chance of freedom in his future. Hercules was already 12 when he was brought to Nyaru Menteng. He had been rescued from a cage so small, it left his hands and feet crippled. Unable to climb and blind in one eye, Hercules has no hope of surviving in the wild. He'll always be dependent on the care and loving attention he gets in this extraordinary facility. Hey Love Nature fans! Be sure to like and subscribe to catch all our wild animal stories. Get closer to nature, right here on YouTube.