Donna Malone
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY - Non available
RIKA
From Captivity to Caregiver
(Rescued 2013 • Forest School Graduate • Surrogate Mum)
Rika was rescued in late 2013 from the village of Tumbang Titi, West Kalimantan. Although her former owners claimed they’d only had her for three months, Rika’s extreme habituation to humans told a different story—one of prolonged captivity and neglect.
She was found living in a small cage, or chained by the neck under a house, alongside a dog and a pig. Occasionally allowed to roam, she always returned for food—a sign of her deep dependency. She had wounds on her neck, a skin infection, and brittle hair from a poor diet of rice and vegetables.
After arriving at International Animal Rescue’s (IAR) centre in Ketapang, Rika received veterinary care and nourishment. Her transformation was remarkable: she gained strength, her coat regrew into a vibrant orange, and her wild instincts emerged in forest school.
Despite being one of the smallest orangutans in her group, Rika was a confident climber, often building her own nests and refusing to return to the night cages. But it’s her heart that has made her unforgettable.
Rika took in Rahman, a tiny baby orangutan rescued alone from a palm oil plantation. With maternal tenderness, she taught him how to climb, forage, and nest, taking on the role of a surrogate mother with fierce devotion.
Now, Rika is a symbol of resilience and compassion. Still under IAR’s care, she continues to develop her forest skills and prepare for a possible return to the wild, alongside the little one she’s helping to raise.
