Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Kaltim), the Forest Management Unit (KPHP) Kelinjau, and the Center for Orangutan Protection (COP) successfully released four orangutans into the wild on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
These four individuals, belonging to the Bornean orangutan species (Pongo pygmaeus), were state confiscations entrusted to the Bornean Orangutan Rescue Alliance (BORA) for care and rehabilitation. BORA’s rehabilitation center is located in the Forest Area with Special Purposes (KHDTK) Labanan, Kelay District, and Tasuk Village, Gunung Tabur District, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan.
“The release of orangutans reflects the Ministry of Forestry’s commitment to conserving Bornean orangutans. This activity is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Forestry, BKSDA Kaltim, the Environmental Instrument Standard Testing Center (BBPSILH), the East Kalimantan Forestry Service, KPHP Kelinjau, COP, and local communities. The release process aims to give ex-captive orangutans a chance to live freely in the wild and to increase the population of orangutans in their natural habitat,” stated M. Ari Wibawanto, Head of BKSDA Kaltim, in a press release on Wednesday (15/1/2025).
The released orangutans, named Paluy, Bonti, Jojo, and Mary, each have unique backgrounds, Paluy: An 18-year-old wild male orangutan rescued by BKSDA Kaltim following a human-wildlife conflict on July 23, 2024. He underwent medical treatment and health recovery before being deemed fit for release.
Bonti, Jojo, and Mary: Three female orangutans previously kept as pets. Bonti was rescued on April 27, 2017; Jojo had been confined in a wooden cage for four years before her rescue on April 12, 2018; and Mary had been kept in a 1 x 1.5-meter wooden box before her rescue on February 12, 2019. Mary is now 10 years old, while Bonti and Jojo are both 12.
Captive orangutans require rehabilitation to restore their natural behaviors and eliminate dependence on humans. At the rehabilitation center, they learn essential survival skills such as climbing, swinging, foraging for forest fruits, and building nests. Once they exhibit behaviors typical of wild orangutans, they are considered ready for release.
The release took place in the Gunung Batu Mesangat Protected Forest, Busang District, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, under the management of KPHP Kelinjau. The process went smoothly, with the orangutans actively exploring the forest and foraging for food.
The COP monitoring team will observe the orangutans for three months to ensure their safety and successful adaptation to their natural habitat.
