Humans and orangutans share remarkable similarities, not just in their appearance but also in their behavior. Like people, orangutans are highly intelligent creatures capable of learning ways to communicate, showing a wide range of emotions, and even using tools for practical purposes—such as holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain. Baby orangutans, much like human infants, cry when they are hungry, whimper when they feel sad, and smile affectionately at their mothers.
This touching story centers around a mother orangutan and the deep, instinctive love she shows for her baby girl during a beautiful reunion. The little one had been taken from her mother by a dominant male, and their reunion is nothing short of heartwarming.
Around four years ago, an adult female orangutan named Clara gave birth to her daughter, Clarita, on Salat Island. This island serves as a safe haven managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, also known as BOSF. The foundation uses the island both as a pre-release environment for orangutans preparing to return to the wild and as a long-term sanctuary for those deemed unsuitable for release. According to BOSF, unreleasable orangutans are those who, due to certain limitations, cannot survive independently in the wild. However, the organization is committed to ensuring these animals never have to live confined in cages for the rest of their lives. Instead, they are granted the right to experience life in their natural forest surroundings.
Clara and her newborn daughter Clarita were living on Salat Island to undergo pre-release preparations. They roamed freely within the protected forest area, learning to navigate life as they would in the wild. Everything seemed peaceful until the animal care technicians noticed something alarming during one of their regular check-ins. Clarita was not with her mother but in the company of Rizki, a 14-year-old male orangutan, along with a few of his companions.
The team immediately recognized the potential danger for Clarita, who was still entirely dependent on her mother, especially for breastfeeding. Without quick action, her health could rapidly deteriorate. Moving swiftly but carefully, the team rescued the fragile little baby. Upon examination, it became clear that Clarita was suffering from a severe skin rash and signs of malnutrition due to the sudden separation from her mother. She was rushed to the clinic to receive urgent medical care.
In addition to helping Clarita, the rescue team also had to locate and secure Clara. According to BOSF, Clara appeared to be hiding in a more secluded part of the island, possibly avoiding interactions with the other orangutans, particularly Rizki, who had taken her baby. Clara herself was also in poor condition, suffering from a painful rash, likely brought on by stress and harsh environmental conditions.
With both mother and daughter safe in the clinic, the team faced their next big challenge—reuniting them. Although everyone hoped for the best, there was a very real concern that Clara might reject Clarita after the time they had spent apart. Should that have happened, Clarita would have been enrolled in the reintroduction program, where she would spend roughly seven years learning survival skills before potentially being released back into the wild.
The moment of their reunion was captured on video, and it’s one of the most touching scenes you could witness. The footage shows a veterinarian gently cradling little Clarita while walking toward Clara’s temporary holding space. Clara was still undergoing treatment for her rash at the time. As they approached Clara, the vet softly spoke words of comfort, saying, “This is your baby, yes sweetheart. Look at her, maybe you need to get to know each other first.” Clara’s gaze remained intensely focused on her tiny, helpless daughter.
At first, Clara reached through the bars and lovingly kissed the little tuft of hair sticking up from Clarita’s head. Encouraged by this tender gesture, the technician made the decision to unlock the enclosure and allow Clara to hold her baby again. Clara wasted no time—stretching out her hand eagerly, she attempted to open the door herself.
Once reunited, the mother instinctively gathered her baby into her arms. As Clarita whimpered, Clara gently laid back, cradling her baby against her chest and allowing her to nurse. Witnessing this beautiful moment, several team members couldn’t hold back their emotions. Tears flowed as Clarita’s soft cries came to a stop, soothed by her mother’s comforting presence. One staff member was heard saying, “I cannot put this into words, it’s so beautiful. This was one of the most incredible moments of my life to see this. It’s truly special.”
By October 2018, BOSF provided an uplifting update. Once both mother and daughter recovered fully, they were relocated to a pre-release island. There, the team carefully monitored their progress to ensure they were healthy, independent, and ready for the wild. By September 2018, Clara and Clarita had successfully met the criteria for release and were transferred to the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, where they began a new chapter living freely in their natural habitat.
This story of Clara and Clarita, captured in a powerful and moving video, reminds us of the unbreakable bond between mother and child, whether covered in fur or skin. A mother’s love is universal, strong, and enduring. We are fortunate this beautiful moment was shared with the world, allowing us to witness the raw, natural beauty of maternal love. What are your thoughts about this touching story? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to share this story with your friends so others can feel the same warmth and joy.
