A YOUNG orang-utan got the VIP treatment as she travelled halfway around the world to meet her new family.

Loren, a 21-month-old Bornean orang-utan, was born at Moscow Zoo but rejected at birth by her mother.

But now, she is happily settled at Dorset’s Monkey World, and has been adopted by their resident orang-utan Roro. She also has two adopted brothers in the form of Sumatran two-year-olds, Bulu-Mata and Rieke, from Berlin and Budapest Zoos.

Staff at the centre, which hosts the only orang-utan crèche in Europe, said they are pleased to see Loren has settled in, and is already taking part in lively games with the other youngsters.

Also part of Monkey World’s orang-utan nursery family are adolescent boys Silvestre and Jin and adult female Oshine.

She was flown from Moscow in the passenger cabin, after special arrangements were made and Dr Alison Cronin, Monkey World director, and Jarno Swandi, head of Monkey World’s orang-utans, travelled with her to make sure she was as comfortable and safe as possible.

 Dr Cronin said: “It took many months to arrange but government agencies from Moscow to London have worked tirelessly and given special permission for baby Loren to travel on board a passenger plane with British Airways and IAG Cargo. As a vulnerable infant, everything was done to ensure Loren’s journey was stress free on her way to get an adopted family that she needs and deserves. Everyone at Monkey World is pleased to welcome Loren, especially her new adopted family of six other orang-utans.”

Since arriving at the park, Loren was introduced to her new family, starting with adult female RoRo. RoRo’s gentle nature has allowed Loren to settle very quickly, and the pair have progressed to nesting down together in a hammock at night.

Monkey World has a dedicated orang-utan nursery specially designed to develop strength, social skills and climbing confidence. Here infants can grow-up with their own kind, supervised by expert care staff.

As members of the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP) for this species, Monkey World offers a home to any babies born in European zoos and wildlife parks that are orphaned, or unable to be raised by their own mothers. Monkey World also rescues and rehabilitates orang-utans that have been smuggled from the wild.