Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release: Melon’s Story

Long-tailed macaques are an endangered species, facing grave threats from habitat loss, degradation, persecution, and human-wildlife conflict. These challenges can have life-threatening consequences for macaques. At WFFT, we always strive to help where we can and have been rescuing injured macaques for more than 20 years, with the goal of rehabilitating them and eventually releasing them back into the wild.

Melon’s Rescue

Our team received an urgent call about a young long-tailed macaque suffering from a rope tightly bound around her neck. After a two-hour journey to Prachuap Khiri Khan city, our rescue team discovered that the macaque, whom we now know as Melon, required sedation for us to safely assist her. To get close enough to dart her, one of our vet nurses disguised himself as a food seller.

Upon close inspection, it was clear that the rope had been constricting Melon’s neck for a long time. The rope was embedded deeply into her flesh, causing severe pain and potentially life-threatening injuries. Her fur was matted with blood where the rope had cut into her skin. Without intervention, the rope would likely have eventually killed Melon. We carefully removed the rope on-site.

Melon was then transported to our wildlife hospital, where she received immediate care. The wound was cleaned and treated, and she was given pain relief and antibiotics to prevent infection.

Rehabilitation

Over the next three weeks, Melon’s recovery was our top priority. She was placed in a quiet, comfortable recovery area within our wildlife hospital, where she could begin to heal. Our team regularly checked her wound, adjusted treatments as needed, and ensured she was comfortable and eating well.

Release

Finally, after three weeks of dedicated care, we were ready to release Melon back into her natural habitat. Seeing Melon run into the trees, disappearing into the dense foliage, and reuniting with her macaque family was incredibly heartwarming.

Please see the video of her release below.

Our work to help Melon in her time of need was made possible by the generous support of our donors. Your contributions are vital in enabling us to rescue, rehabilitate, and release wildlife like Melon. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant difference.