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Orang utan dies two weeks after parang attack

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Despite the best efforts of vets, an orang utan affectionately known as Gedau by his rescuers, died from injuries on Sunday (July 26).

The 20-year-old male orang utan was found with slash and stab wounds in an oil palm estate in Beluran, Sabah on July 13.

Investigations later reveal that Gedau had been attacked with a parang by a plantation worker.

Plantation workers who found him handed him over to wildlife officials the next day reported The Star Online.

Sabah Wildlife Department director William Baya said: “Our veterinary and medical team at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Quarantine and Clinic facility tried their best to save it, and for the first few days the orang utan seemed to be improving.

“Unfortunately when the orang utan was further observed and monitored it became obvious that the parang wound to the back was so deep that it punctured into the air sac (a loose pouch located around the throat used for vocalising), causing severe infection."

Mr Baya also said that an autopsy confirmed that Gedau had died from acute and severe blood poisoning.

Malaysia's State Wildlife is considering imposing a stiffer penalty against the culprit, a 38-year-old Indonesian named Syam Sul.

New Straits Times reported that the plantation worker was sentenced to 12 months' jail by the Magistrate Court in Sabah for hurting an animal that is protected under Malaysian laws.

He had earlier said that he attacked Gedau after the orang utan chased him.

"I have directed my Prosecution Office to discuss this case with the court to consider appealing for a much heavier punishment to be meted out to the orang utan killer," said Mr Baya.

Source: The Star Online, New Straits Times, Facebook

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