Three Rehabilitation Results Orangutans Released in TNBBBR

JAKARTA - The West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) together with the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR) and the Indonesian Rehabilitation Nature Initiative Foundation (YIARI) released three individuals of the Kalimantan orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) into the TNBBBR area.

Head of West Kalimantan BKSDA, Murlan Dameria Pane said the three orangutans, named Badul, Korwas, and Asoka.

The animal is an individual from rehabilitation who was previously entrusted by BKSDA West Kalimantan to the YIARI Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Sungai Awan Kiri Village, Ketapang Regency.

Murlan said this release was a form of mutual commitment in the conservation of biodiversity, especially the Kalimantan orangutan.

"This release is not just about moving orangutans from rehabilitation centers to their natural habitat, but giving Badul, Korwas, and Asoka the opportunity to live and move naturally in the wild," he said.

"We hope that they can live prosperously and breed so that they can also increase the population of Kalimantan orangutans," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, December 18.

TNBBBR was chosen as the release site because it has good forest cover, abundant natural feed availability, and a relatively low level of human disturbance.

In addition, under the regular supervision through patrols of the TNBBBR Office, it is considered safe for the survival of orangutans.

Head of the TNBBBRPersada Agussetia Sitepumenyatakan pelepasliaran ini bagian dari upaya penguatan fungsi kawasan taman nasional sebagai habitat alami satwa liar yang berkelanjutan.

"The release is through a planned process and based on the study of habitat suitability, the carrying capacity of the area, and the readiness of the animals resulting from rehabilitation," he said.

"The Mentatai Resort was chosen because the forest conditions are still very supportive," he said.

After the release, the TNBBBR Center together with partners regularly monitor to ensure that the adaptation process runs optimally. Monitoring includes animal movement, foraging behavior, nest building, and interaction with the surrounding environment.

This release process began with a long journey by the joint team, which had to travel by land, river, and forest exploration for about three days from the YIARI Rehabilitation Center to the release location in the TNBBBR area.

This activity also involves the buffer village community which plays a role as a cage porter, as well as part of efforts to foster a sense of ownership and community concern for orangutans and the surrounding forests.