PART 3: THE DIAGNOSIS – A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
The Colugo Chronicles | Field Notes by Sri Sari
Friday, 28th March 2014. The situation took a clinical turn. We secured an air-conditioned car to transport the mother and baby Colugo to the vet. After being turned down by several clinics not equipped for exotic wildlife, Dr. Tim at Lassie Animal Clinic agreed to assist us with an assessment of the wounds.
THE HARSH REALITY
We were introduced to Dr. Loui, a volunteer vet from Switzerland. After shaving the fur to assess the injury, the news was devastating. The tear on the mother's head wasn't just skin deep—it had fractured her skull. Her left eye was confirmed gone, and her mouth was severely injured, explaining her earlier refusal to eat.
Given the severity of the trauma for such a small animal, the medical advice was heartbreaking: put her to sleep and attempt to raise the baby alone. The room went silent. Shakira gasped, and the weight of the decision pressed down on all of us.
THE GIRLS' DECISION
Me, Shakira, Anita, and Amiri stepped outside the clinic for an urgent discussion. We knew the truth of the rainforest: without the mother, the infant’s chances of survival were nearly zero. We weren't ready to give up. We decided to reject the suggestion of euthanasia and take them back, committing to a path of intensive rehabilitation against all odds.
Coming Up in Part 4:
The struggle moves to a private residence. Anita takes over the 24-hour care, facing the toxic Rengas tree and a battle for the mother's strength.
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