Little Popi was confiscated from a family in the Sempayau village in East Kalimantan in September 2016 by the Centre for Orangutan Protection. This village is near a palm oil plantation. It is highly likely that Popi’s mother was killed by palm oil plantation workers and then sold illegally as a pet. She was estimated to be only eight weeks of age when she was rescued

Popi had no teeth and would often cry. Orangutan infants rely solely on their mother for nutrition and comfort. Popi would have been highly traumatised from losing her mother and then held in totally unsuitable conditions as a pet.

A full-time baby sitter was provided for Popi, just as she would have 24/7 love and care from her own mother in the wild. Popi would cry if her baby sitter wasn’t in view. As well her full-time carer, two vets also helped to look after tiny Popi.

Popi has come a long way since her rescue. After a few months she could hold her milk bottle on her own and she also began to stand on her own. She now socialises with other orangutans including her good friend Happi. She is learning to climb and is also more accepting of other baby sitters.