Enviro News Asia, Tanggerang — The Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, in coordination with the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, has successfully repatriated four orangutans rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking in Thailand back to Indonesia.
The four orangutans arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, on Tuesday (December 23) at 5:30 p.m. local time aboard a Garuda Indonesia flight GA-867.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni expressed deep concern over the persistence of transnational wildlife trafficking crimes.
“I am deeply saddened that illegal wildlife trade continues to occur. This underscores the need for stronger cooperation and synergy among ministries and institutions to safeguard our borders and prevent such crimes from recurring,” the minister stated.
He further highlighted the fragile condition of Sumatra’s forests, which serve as the natural habitat for orangutans and continue to face environmental pressures.
“This repatriation is also a reminder for us to conduct comprehensive evaluations and ensure that our forests are protected properly so orangutans can live safely in their natural habitat,” he added.
The repatriation reflects Indonesia’s continued commitment to protecting and conserving endangered wildlife species. The involvement of Garuda Indonesia also demonstrates the private sector’s active role in supporting national biodiversity conservation efforts.
The four orangutans were formally handed over by the Government of Thailand to the Government of Indonesia through the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok on December 23, 2025, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. During transport, the animals were placed in special cages in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards and were accompanied by veterinarians to ensure their health and safety throughout the journey.
The orangutans were confiscated by Thai authorities in January and May 2025 from separate illegal wildlife trade cases. At the time of seizure, all individuals were estimated to be under one month old and were subsequently treated and cared for at the Khao Pratubchang Wildlife Rescue Centre in Ratchaburi Province under the supervision of Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
Based on physical assessments and DNA testing, the four individuals consist of three Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii)—two males and one female—and one female Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis). Medical evaluations indicate that all four have strong prospects for rehabilitation.
The orangutans will be temporarily placed at the Sumatran Rescue Alliance (SRA) Rehabilitation Center in Besitang, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, before being gradually prepared for release back into their natural habitat. The Ministry of Forestry expressed hope that the orangutans will undergo rehabilitation in good health and eventually return to Sumatra’s forests, their rightful home.
This repatriation was made possible through close collaboration among the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance, the Animal Quarantine Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Garuda Indonesia, and conservation partner Centre for Orangutan Protection, reflecting a strong multi-stakeholder commitment to wildlife conservation in Indonesia. (*)
