Six critically endangered Bornean orangutans have been released by the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Office (BKSDA), together with the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Authority (TNBBBR) and supported by YIARI, our Indonesian partners. They were released in the national park on 26 June 2023.
The release of these great apes is an important step in efforts to preserve protected wildlife and restore orangutan populations in the wild. In addition, it is the culmination of the process of saving orangutans, from rehabilitation to the reintroduction of the orangutans to their natural habitat.
In a statement, RM Wiwied Widodo, Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all parties who have assisted in efforts to conserve the orangutan which is a primate endemic to Borneo.
“The aim is to return orangutans to their natural habitat in good condition – in good health and with the characteristics and behaviour of wild orangutans. Returning an animal to this condition is a long process and certainly isn’t easy. Human beings should not keep orangutans imprisoned in cages. It is done entirely out of selfishness. They must be allowed to live freely to maintain the balance in nature,” he explained.
The release operation started out from YIARI’s rehabilitation centre in Ketapang on 22 June 2023 and the mission was completed on 26 June when six orangutans were released. They consisted of one male and five females.
Prior to release, all the orangutans had completed the rehabilitation, medical and behavioural studies to confirm that they were healthy and ready to return to the wild.
Andi Muhammad Kadhafi, Head of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Office, stated that the release of the orangutans into the National Park was a collaboration between the West Kalimantan BKSDA Office as management authority for plants and wildlife and the National Park Authority (BTNBBBR) and supported by YIARI, Indonesian partners of International Animal Rescue.
“There have been numerous releases since 2016. To date, we have successfully released 69 rehabilitated orangutans in this area. Through this activity it is hoped that distribution of orangutans throughout their natural habitat will increase, particularly in the National Park area,” he said.
He also explained one of the important achievements resulting from the orangutan releases which is the birth of five baby orangutans registered in the area, indicating that the National Park is a suitable habitat for them. He also expressed appreciation for the support from everyone involved who helped make the release go so smoothly. Stakeholder support is a vital part of efforts to preserve the Critically Endangered Bornean orangutan and prevent it from becoming extinct, particularly within the National Park.
“Together we must protect wild animals and protect the forest sustainably for the sake of the children and grandchildren who follow us,” he urged.
Budi, the only male orangutan to be released, is about 11 years old. He was rescued in the Kubing area of Sawah Perfect Hamlet in Ketapang Regency. Budi has been in rehabilitation since December 2014. Meanwhile, the five female orangutans that were released are Tulip, Bianca, Jamilah, Faini and Covita.
Tulip had been kept as a pet by residents in Delta Pawan District, Ketapang Regency. Tulip is estimated to be about 13 years old and had been undergoing rehabilitation since April 5, 2012.
Bianca is a female orangutan of about seven years old who was rescued by the BKSDA in the Village Randau region of Ketapang Regency on 5 October 2016. Jamilah is a female orangutan of about nine years old originating from Sandai Ketapang Regency and had been cared for at the YIARI Rehabilitation Center since 24 February 2016.
The fourth female orangutan to be released is Faini, who is about 10 years old. She came from the area of Randau Jekak Village in Ketapang Regency. This orangutan was saved by the BKSDA on 17 December 2015. Finally, Covita is a female of about 6 years old who was rescued by the BKSDA in Krio Hulu Village in Ketapang Regency on 29 August 2020.
As partner of the Ministry of Environment, YIARI expressed appreciation that the release operation had taken place. “We are proud that orangutans are cared for during many years at YIARI’s rehabilitation centre in Ketapang and can finally be returned to their natural habitat. We are very grateful that the release of these six orangutans has all gone according to plan, particularly in the midst of incoming weather patterns such as drought brought about by climate change, starting with the El Nino pheomenon in June. This is where a multi-stakeholder partnership is needed to guard the forest – because our work doesn’t end when we deliver wildlife back to its natural habitat, we also ensure they remain safe and sustainable,” said Silverius Oscar Superior, Chairman General of YIARI.
Alan Knight, President of International Animal Rescue, added: “Urgent action is needed to halt and reverse the threat to global biodiversity, particularly Critically Endangered species such as the orangutan. The efforts of the BKSDA, the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park and YIARI to rebuild wild orangutan populations by reintroducing rehabilitated individuals is a perfect example of how rescue and rehabilitation can contribute to orangutan conservation.”
The location in the National Park was chosen because the condition of the forest was in accordance with the habitat orangutans need, as well as the abundance of trees that would provide enough food for orangutans. Although the release site was remote and took a long time to reach, that meant it would provide excellent security for the released orangutans.
Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA, RM Wiwied Widodo, said in his closing statement: “Through the implementation of orangutan release activities in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park area, we hope that orangutans that until now still hold the Critically Endangered (CR) conservation status according to IUCN data can increase in number and maintain sustainable populations in the wild.”