Your morning adorable: Rescued baby orangutan in Malaysia

Last weekend, Malaysian officials rescued three baby orangutans they believe were illegally smuggled into the country. The first was found during a raid on an ostrich farm; when the ostrich breeder was questioned, officials learned that two other orangutans were being kept at a northern Malaysian zoo. (Representatives of the zoo said that it had nothing to do with the smuggling and only accepted the apes because it feared for their safety.)

The three babies were seized. One of them, 7-month-old Tattoo, is shown here with her current caretaker, Ahmad Julaihi of Malaysia's Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Because orangutans are a protected species both the ostrich breeder and the zoo could face charges -- and face possible prison time -- if convicted of keeping the babies without permits.

More photos of Tattoo after the jump!

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photos: Mark Baker / Associated Press

Comments

[Richard Zimmerman]

Orangutan babies are simply too cute for their own good! How many more mothers must be slaughtered so their babies can be stolen away and sold as illegal pets and entertainers?

When are the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities going to finally take action, enforce the law and punish illegal animal traders?

Orangutans are critically endangered in the wild because of rapid deforestation and the expansion of palm oil plantations. If nothing is done to protect them, they could be extinct in the wild just a few years!

Visit the Orangutan Outreach website to learn how YOU can make a difference!

http://redapes.org
Reach out and save the orangutans!