Ministry of Environment and Forestry Releases 8 Orangutans At TN Bukit Baka Bukit Raya

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) released eight orangutans into the natural forest in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park area in Kalimantan, after going through rehabilitation at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.

The release was the result of a collaboration between the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Office (TNBBBR), and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS) partner.

"Orangutans are one of the flagship species that continue to be a priority for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through various conservation efforts so that their existence in nature is maintained and breeds well", said Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) of Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Wiratno, quoted by Antara, Friday, December 17.

Wiratno said the existence of successful breeding orangutans is an indicator of good forest conditions, not only for orangutans but also for other animals.

The Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is an animal that is protected by law and is included in the IUCN list with the status of a species categorized as critically endangered.

He emphasized that as a protected animal with a critical status, orangutans are not only a concern of the parties at the national level but also internationally. For that, we need the support of all parties in its preservation.

In addition, the involvement of the community around the release site in release activities to monitoring animals is expected to increase public awareness to help preserve orangutans and their habitat in the TNBBBR area.

"I express my gratitude and appreciation to all parties, especially the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, which together with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has made efforts to preserve orangutans through this release activity", he said.

The released orangutans consisted of four males and four females and departed on two separate trips on December 14, 2021, and December 16, 2021.

The eight orangutans are rescued who have gone through a rehabilitation period of between five to 15 years and have been declared healthy and have behaviors that support life in the wild.

The TNBBBR Center together with the Central Kalimantan BKSDA and partners from the BOS Foundation have released 186 orangutans since 2016, including the eight, currently released.

Meanwhile, the total orangutans released since 2016 throughout the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park area in Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan with other related partners are 246 individuals.