The heartbreaking story of mistreatment of this innocent orangutan reveals the rottenness to which the human being can reach. A terrifying story that can make someone’s blood run cold. Just when we think we have heard enough, a new case shakes our hearts and we wonder if we can expect even worse from humanity.
Pony lived for years chained in a brothel in Kereng Pangi, Indonesia.
It is not clear for how many years, but what Pony suffered is the most demeaning thing that can be done to a female.
Pony was separated from her mother when she was a baby to be subjected to a life of horror and sexual slavery. She was shaved daily, made up, perfumed, adorned with jewels and elegant dresses… Like a prostitute!
All this was arranged to satisfy the depraved desires of her clients. Most of them were farm workers from the area, who paid a small amount of money in exchange for a sexual encounter with the much sought-after Pony.
The waxing caused skin irritation and sores. She had various cuts on her skin and significant psychological damage after living in chains due to her large size.
On a dirty mattress and perfectly made up, the orangutan was taught how to perform sexual acts to satisfy her clients. Despite the fact that there were women in the brothel who were also sexually enslaved, the men preferred Pony.
After the horrible confinement and slavery of the animal became known, the innumerable denunciations managed to put an end to the business when 35 armed policemen burst into the brothel in order to rescue her.
Eventually, the Kalimantan Central Natural Resources and Conservation Authority (BKSDA), in collaboration with the BOS Foundation, organized a lengthy investigation and rescue operation to successfully confiscate Pony from her captors.
Pony was brought to a new life of freedom at the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Center, where she has tried to recover.
It took Pony more than 10 years to overcome the traumas to which she was subjected.
Her caregivers say that at first she could only be cared for by women, the mere presence of a man horrified her.
“When a man approached, she would go to a corner and urinate on herself. She was terrified of them.”
Although now in good condition, Pony lives in captivity and will never be able to reintegrate into the wild. However, she is accompanied by seven other orangutans, which have been essential for her full recovery.
Only when she arrived at the rehabilitation center did she realize the true magnitude of the abuse she was subjected to: her fur took a long time to grow because she was shaved almost daily.
“Despite the trauma, she maintains a dignity and sense of humor. She has the best personality and she is willing to trust very quickly, despite what she has been through,” said one of the rescuers.
- About 1,000 orangutans in Indonesia are killed each year so their babies can be sold on the black market.
The capacity for degradation of the human heart is truly outrageous, and what can be done to an animal just to satisfy the most depraved desires.
We are glad that Pony is now in the best hands, but no other animal deserves a miserable torture like this. Share Pony’s story to raise awareness.
