COLUGO — HANG IN THERE!

PART 4: HANG IN THERE – THE CRITICAL REHABILITATION

The Colugo Chronicles | Field Notes by Sri Sari

By the third day, it was clear that the mother Colugo needed a more controlled and dedicated environment to recover from her injuries—inflicted by a brutal eagle attack. The care was officially moved to my sister’s quarters, as she took on the immense responsibility of round-the-clock nursing. This transition was vital, as these canopy specialists require constant monitoring and a very specific touch during their most vulnerable moments.

A TEST OF DEDICATION

Rehabilitating a Colugo is not without its physical tolls. To maintain the mother's strength and the infant's hydration, my sister handled them with bare hands to ensure the most delicate care possible. This selflessness came at a price; she suffered a severe allergic reaction from the Rengas sap that had contaminated the Colugo’s fur in the wild. Despite the painful swelling, she continued the intensive regime of feeding and cleaning, ensuring the pair remained stable.

THE SCIENTIFIC ROADMAP

While the physical care happened on the ground, we reached out to the international scientific community for guidance. We are deeply grateful to experts Bee Choo and Norman Lim for providing a definitive feeding list. This knowledge was a turning point, allowing us to source the exact native leaves required for a Colugo’s specialized digestive system, including:

• Artocarpus kemando: Mature leaves.
• Syzygium lineatum & Syzygium grande: Young leaves.
• Peltophorum pterocarpus: Young leaves.

As the mother began to accept the new diet and regained her grip on the climbing trunks provided, a glimmer of hope returned. We were no longer just witnesses to a tragedy; we were active participants in a fight for survival.

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