Wildfires negatively impact the environment and all that is in it.

Unfortunately, there has been an increasing number of wildfires in recent years. It can start to feel as if no place is safe. We wouldn’t be wrong in feeling this way as wildfires destroy our planet’s ecosystem which is, of course, detrimental to the planet.

As humans have the ability to pack up their belongings and flee, animals do not have such a luxury. They are unable to get in a car and drive as far away as possible. They are unable to get to a relative’s house safe and away from danger.

This is not to say that humans don’t suffer from them (all life does) but animals are at a much greater risk as they have limited resources and abilities.

Sadly, some humans take advantage of the fleeing animals. While some try to help and care for the animal to the best of their ability, they just don’t have the training or skills to do so.

This results in the preventable deaths of wildlife that could have potentially been rescued. When others realize that they are in over their heads, they give in and instead of calling for aide, abandon the animal, leaving them to perish.

In Indonesia, one orangutan named Gito was a victim of such human meddling during one of its wildfires.

Gito was found in a mummified-like state at just four months old in a filthy and dilapidated cardboard box. The box was covered in his own urine. His arms were wrapped snuggly around him and had become stiffened that way.

In addition to being “mummified,” he was very dehydrated. Whoever had Gito in their possession last only fed him milk before abandoning him. He was unable to sit up on his own and suffered from severe hair loss and grey skin from sarcoptic mange.

Sarcoptic Mange is a highly contagious disease mainly found in dogs. It causes irritation and itching of the skin.

The rescuers thought that Gito was dead. But to their surprise, Gito was very much alive but clearly in very poor condition. They immediately decided to race him to the International Animal Rescue’s orangutan rehabilitation center in Borneo.

The only problem was that it was nine hours away. Time was not on their side. They shared on their website:

“Gito was rushed straight to our rescue centre for urgent treatment and was immediately put on a drip and course of medication to treat him for dehydration, malnutrition and the severe skin infection.”

The medical team also massaged his skin with coconut oil to soften it and to keep the itching at bay. He was also kept in quarantine since his skin condition was contagious.

Fortunately, Gito made a full recovery!

Less than two months after being found and cared for, the animal rescue shared an update. It read:

“…Gito is looking healthy, happy and alert – and even sporting two fine front teeth! He may not yet be as hairy as he should be, but his skin is smooth and supple and there are definite signs that his coat is growing.”

Once Gito was able to attend pre-school, he made a best friend named Asoka. At 2-years-old, Gito attended baby school with Asoka!

Miracles do happen! If you would like to help or learn more about the International Animal Rescue, you can do so here!

You can see Gito and Asoka meeting for the first time in the video below!

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Sources: International Animal Rescue, Shareably