The bravest ape: Orangutan who lost both his arms on an electric fence while trying to escape from captivity learns how to climb and find food using only his legs as he prepares to return to the jungle
A brave orangutan who lost both his arms trying to escape captors has finally 'graduated' from 'Forest School' after learning the skills he needs to survive.
Kopral was electrocuted when he climbed an electricity pylon in a bid to escape captors who had been keeping him in a cage in Indonesia as a pet since he was a baby.
The youngster was brought to the East Kalimantan Orangutan Reintroduction Program by taxi, but his arms were severely burnt and nothing could be done to save them.
Despite his horrific start in life, Kopral has excelled in his 'Forest School' - a rehabilitation programme designed to teach orangutans how to build nests, climb trees, select appropriate natural foods and recognise natural predators.
Orangutan Kopral (pictured), who lost both his arms trying to escape captors, has finally 'graduated' from 'Forest School' after learning the skills he needs to survive
Korpral was electrocuted when he climbed an electricity pylon in a bid to escape captors in Indonesia. He was electrocuted and both of his arms then had to be taken off after they were left badly burnt
Korpal was eventually rescued and brought to the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation where he learnt to climb trees using only his feet (pictured)
Despite his horrific start in life, under the care of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Kopral excelled in 'Forest School' - a rehabilitation programme designed to teach orangutans how to build nests, climb trees, select appropriate natural foods and recognise natural predators
The youngster was brought to the East Kalimantan Orangutan Reintroduction Program in Indonesia by taxi, but sadly his arms were severely burnt and rotting and nothing could be done to save them. This picture shows the horrific injuries Kopral suffered as a baby And now the thriving orangutan, who has learnt to climb trees and forage for food using only his legs, has moved to an island complex in Samboja Lestari - an environment that resembles his natural habitat.
A spokesperson from the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation said: 'As a baby, Kopral was kept as a caged pet until he escaped, climbing an electricity pylon that electrocuted him and severely burned his arms.
'Sadly, his condition was so severe that both of his arms had to be amputated when he arrived.
'Despite this, he was a star pupil at Forest School, climbing trees and building nests with his feet and mouth.'
Survival skills: Kopral is pictured clambering up a tree using just his legs to cling on to tree trunks and branches at his new sanctuary
The thriving orangutan, who has learnt to climb trees and forage for food using only his legs, has moved to an island complex in Samboja Lestari - an environment that resembles his natural habitat
Kopral the orangutan is pictured being moved to his new island sanctuary - seen as a step up in his rehabilitation
Kopral now lives in an island complex in Samboja Lestari which resembles a natural environment. The clever orangutan has learnt to adapt despite his horrific injuries
A spokesperson from the Bornero Orangutan Survival Foundation has said that they are pleased with Kopral's progress
'Kopral has mastered the ability to climb trees and forage for natural food using only his legs. This has allowed him to develop into a relatively independent individual,' a spokesperson from the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation has said
He added that the majority of the orangutans who enter their facilities are very young, so in need of orangutan-peer interaction and daily lessons on forest survival that span different levesl from 'Baby School' to 'Forest School'. He said rehabilitation can take up to seven years but that Kopral had been thiriving.
'His physical disadvantage means that he can never be released to the forest, for his own safety.
'However, Kopral has mastered the ability to climb trees and forage for natural food using only his legs. This has allowed him to develop into a relatively independent individual.
'Our technicians and medical team are convinced that Kopral will be able to spend his days on the island without issue.'
Kopral was moved to an island complex after graduating 'Forest School' and learning the skills he needs to survive. he is pictured being moved into his new sanctuary
Because of the severity of his condition, both his arms had to be amputated on arrival to the Foundation
Kopral now climbs trees and builds nests using his feet and mouth after losing both of his arms in the tragic incident
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