Diarrhea attacks orangutan babies

Diarrhea attacks orangutan babies

PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: At least 18 orangutan babies at the Nyaru Menteng Conservation in Arboretum, Central Kalimantan have been undergoing treatment for diarrhea at the Doris Sylvanus General Hospital in Palangkaraya since Thursday.

Nyaru Menteng orangutan reintroduction manager Lone Droscher Nielsen said on Friday that the prolonged drought and haze in the province had triggered an outbreak of diarrhea in the region.

The orangutan babies, all below three years old, underwent a medical checkup in the hospital, he said.

There are 135 adult and 23 baby orangutans protected in the forest. Since 1999, they have had monthly medical checkups for hepatitis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and tuberculosis. --Antara