MUM & BABY — COLUGO THE STRUGGLE

PART 2: THE STRUGGLE – NURSING A GHOST BACK TO LIFE

The Colugo Chronicles | Field Notes by Sri Sari

Following the discovery at Datai Bay, the harsh reality of wildlife rehabilitation set in. The mother Colugo was not only exhausted but suffered from a severe eye injury that had begun to emit an alarming odor. Our initial hope of a swift release that same evening vanished; we had to intervene before infection took hold.

THE CHALLENGES OF SPECIALIZED CARE

Caring for a Colugo is a complex undertaking. They are canopy specialists with highly specific dietary needs. Under the guidance of Irshad Mobarak, we sourced Salam leaves (Eugenia polyantha) and offered a variety of fruits including papaya and banana. However, trauma and pain made her refuse all nourishment.

The tension peaked in the early hours of the morning. At 04:30 AM, after a long night of patient monitoring and strategy adjustments, the mother finally began to accept small pieces of watermelon laced with raw honey. It was the first sign of life in a very long night.

A CRY FOR HELP

Midway through the night, the infant began to emit a piercing, rhythmic cry—a sound rarely heard by human ears. It was a call for hydration. The infant eventually took about 30ml of fluids from a syringe, a small victory in a still-critical situation. Recognizing the gravity of their condition, we immediately sought counsel from international experts, including Norman Lim and Morten Strange, to ensure our intervention met professional standards.

---

SEE THE COLUGO IN THE WILD

Colugos are best appreciated in their natural, undisturbed habitat. Join our naturalists to observe these masters of the night sky: