{"id":426326,"date":"2026-01-24T03:58:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T03:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/426326\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T03:58:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T03:58:07","slug":"orphaned-baby-orangutan-rescued-from-illegal-pet-trade-just-stole-the-internets-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/426326\/","title":{"rendered":"Orphaned Baby Orangutan Rescued From Illegal Pet Trade Just Stole the Internet’s Heart"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kinu, an orphaned baby orangutan<\/a>, is capturing hearts across the internet after his rescue story was shared on social media. Kinu is getting a second chance at life after renowned wildlife biologist and TV host Forrest Galante<\/a> shared the baby\u2019s story, much to the delight and heartbreak of fans.<\/p>\n

In a video shared to social media, Forrest Galante holds Kinu in his arms and explains that the baby orangutan was rescued from the illegal pet trade<\/a>. Galante shares that Kinu was tragically ripped from his mother\u2019s hands and became malnourished while in captivity, leading to a variety of health issues for the young primate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now in the caring hands of rescuers at the Vantara Rescue<\/a>, Kinu is receiving a proper diet along with loving, thoughtful care as he begins a long road to recovery.<\/p>\n

Orphaned Baby Orangutan Gets a Second Chance at Life<\/p>\n

Holding Kinu close and gently stroking the baby\u2019s back to help him feel safe, Galante says, \u201cWhile he still doesn\u2019t have a mom, he does have me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Social media followers rushed to the comment section, tissues in hand, to express their heartbreak over Kinu\u2019s story. One wrote, \u201cHe probably misses his mama so much. Poor baby. Humans can be so cruel.\u201d Another shared, \u201cOh my goodness, his face looks so sad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat poor baby,\u201d added one commenter. \u201cHe\u2019s so traumatized.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are mama now,\u201d another empathized.<\/p>\n

One follower praised Galante\u2019s rescue efforts, writing, \u201cYou are such a good mother to Kinu.\u201d<\/p>\n

Experts say approximately 200 to 1,000 orangutans are illegally traded each year. Driven predominantly by the illegal pet market, baby orangutans who enter this trade face a high mortality rate, largely due to the trauma of witnessing their mother\u2019s death or the poor conditions and care they endure in captivity.<\/p>\n

Orangutans are the most traded primate in the world, accounting for 56 percent of all illegal trade involving great apes.<\/p>\n

Forrest Galante is an American adventurer who moved to Zimbabwe as a child. He has appeared on Discovery Channel\u2019s Naked and Afraid and Animal Planet\u2019s Extinct or Alive. Galante primarily seeks out animals on the brink of extinction, raising awareness about the illegal animal trade and supporting rescue efforts around the world.<\/p>\n

This story was originally published by Parade Pets<\/a> on Jan 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News<\/a> section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n