Orangutans Jennifer and Hayato who became symbols of Indonesian-Japanese friendship are introduced to the public.

Introduction of Kalimantan orangutan Hayato and Jennifer to the Japanese public. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Tokyo)

JAKARTA - Jennifer, a female Borneo orangutan brought from Taman Safari Indonesia through the International Collaborative Breeding Loan Program, was officially introduced to the Japanese public along with Hayato, a male Borneo orangutan born in Japan. The introduction took place at the "Orangutan Jennifer & Hayato Unveiling Ceremony" at Tobe Zoo, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, last Saturday.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Nurmala Kartini P. Sjahrir, in a speech read by the Forestry Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Ima Yudin Rayaningtyas, said that this activity not only symbolizes the cooperation in Indonesian-Japanese wildlife conservation, but also a means of strengthening friendship between the two countries through conservation, environmental education, and introduction of Indonesian biodiversity to the Japanese people.

"As one of the world's mega-biodiversity countries, Indonesia views wildlife conservation as a shared responsibility that requires cross-country collaboration. The orangutan breeding loan program between Indonesia and Japan is a concrete example of international cooperation in supporting the conservation of endangered species. We hope that Jennifer and Hayato can grow healthy, adapt well, and become conservation ambassadors as well as symbols of Indonesian-Japanese friendship," said Ambassador Kartini. In addition to Ima Yudin Rayaningtyas, representatives of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo who were present at the Tabe Zoo were the Coordinator of the Political Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Titik Nahilal Hamzah, and the Deputy Head of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Elvitria Intan Novita.

Ambassador Kartini also expressed her appreciation to the Ehime Prefectural Government, Tobe City Government, Tobe Zoo, the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, Taman Safari Indonesia, and all parties who have contributed to realizing this cooperation program.

Attending this activity were the Governor of Ehime Prefecture, Tokihiro Nakamura; Chairman of the Ehime Zoo Association, Tadashi Murakami; Mayor of Tobe, Takahiro Furutani; representatives of the Ehime Prefectural Assembly and Tobe Zoo, as well as the people of Ehime Prefecture.

Tobe Zoological Park of Ehime Prefecture. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Tokyo)

On the same occasion, the Governor of Ehime Prefecture, Tokihiro Nakamura, expressed his appreciation for the support of the Indonesian Government and Taman Safari Indonesia in bringing Jennifer to Tobe Zoo. He emphasized that Jennifer's presence has an important meaning for Ehime Prefecture, not only in supporting the orangutan breeding program, but also in strengthening the friendship between the Japanese and Indonesian people.

"We will take care of Jennifer as best we can. We hope that Jennifer and Hayato can live healthy, adapt well to each other, and in time contribute to the success of orangutan breeding," said Governor Nakamura.

The chairman of the Ehime Zoo Association, Tadashi Murakami, said that Jennifer's presence was an important momentum for Tobe Zoo and the Ehime Zoo Association in strengthening the role of zoos as a center for conservation, education, and international cooperation.

Tobe Zoo will pay full attention to Jennifer and Hayato's health, comfort, and well-being. Jennifer's adaptation process is carried out gradually, including through monitoring her health, behavior, and response to her new environment, while the process of introducing her to Hayato is carried out carefully so that both of them can adapt naturally and comfortably.

Jennifer's presence at Tobe Zoo is the result of a long collaboration between various parties in Indonesia and Japan, ranging from inter-agency coordination, licensing processes, health checks, to transportation arrangements that meet the principles of animal welfare.

The Kalimantan orangutan is one of Indonesia's iconic species, which is currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Therefore, conservation efforts need to be carried out comprehensively, both through the protection of its natural habitat (in situ conservation) and population management outside the natural habitat (ex situ conservation).

The "Orangutan Jennifer & Hayato Unveiling Ceremony" activity received high enthusiasm from visitors to Tobe Zoo. In addition to witnessing the introduction of Jennifer and Hayato, visitors who are mostly Japanese also enjoyed the angklung performance, traditional Indonesian dance, and a variety of Indonesian culinary offerings, as well as a live art performance by Yoshinari Ishimura who painted orangutans.

The presence of Indonesian cultural elements in this activity further strengthens the message that wildlife conservation cooperation not only strengthens inter-institutional relations, but also becomes a bridge of friendship between Indonesian and Japanese people.