Signatures Needed To Ensure Justice For Orangutan Shot 74 Times and The Attacker’s Punishment Is To Recite Prayers

Photos By: The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) Facebook

A horrific case of animal cruelty recently occurred in Indonesia when two teenagers shot a 30-year-old orangutan 74 times with an air rifle.

The brutal attack left the critically endangered orangutan, named Hope, blind and unable to ever return to her home in the wild.

Not only did Hope lose her vision, but she will forever have 64 pellets implanted in her body because removing them could cause her even more damage.

Most tragically, the senseless attack also resulted in the loss of Hope’s precious baby.

The two high school students, Ade Irfanta Sitepu, 17, and Salinsyah Solin, 16, were found guilty for carrying out the heinous attack.

What was even more shocking was the so-called punishment they received for taking the life of one innocent animal and devastating the other.

Both perpetrators were sentenced to community service which included reciting evening prayers for a month. They also had to clean a mosque and apologize to the police.

How is this an appropriate punishment for such a violent crime?

Sadly, the weak punishment for the juveniles will most-likely do little to prevent these abusers, or others, from callously attacking or abusing more sentient beings, which could eventually include humans.

According to a Facebook post by SOCP, Hope is now doing well at the Quarantine and Rehabilitation Center of the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) where she will continue both her physical and psychological recovery.

To support SOCP’s work to save orangutans like Hope and the conservation of her species and their habitat in Sumatra, Donate Here! 

Please sign this Care2 Petition to help ensure justice for Hope and to demand that the perpetrators face a punishment that actually fits their sickening crime. SIGN HERE!

You can help all animals by choosing compassion on your plate. #GoVeg