Orangutan Adventure

In late 2006, just after Steve Irwin passed away, our family watched a TV special hosted by Kim Watkins called 'Saving Orangutans'. In this show they highlighted that orangutans will become extinct in the wild in nine years. When the show was finished, I turned to my Mum and Dad and asked, 'Who will save the orangutans now that Steve Irwin is gone?'. Recently, an anonymous supporter of my quest organised for our family, including “my wheelchair”, to travel to the jungles of Borneo to see these beautiful creatures in the wild. The trip was treacherous! We spent 19 hours between planes and airports, 1 hour in a bus and 3 hours on boat going up a crocodile infested river in 38 degree heat and 100% humidity for 2 days, with a wheelchair in tow. But is was worth it! We visited an orangutan care centre. I was given a rare opportunity to nurse a baby orangutan only 4 months old. I think it made my Mum cry! We also had fun interacting with ‘teenaged’ orangutans! They sat on me, hugged me, kissed me, and just wanted to play with me. It was awesome! I met the Manager of the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) Care Centre in Pangkalanbun, Borneo, and presented a cheque from the Australian Orangutan Project for A$25,000... My goal of saving the orangutan is still a 'work-in-progress', but with the support of my family and close friends I have proven that even a 12 year old boy with a disability can achieve a dream and I’m not limited by cerebral palsy.