Sampit BKSDA Calls The Potential For Orang Utan Back To Asan Hajj Airport Open

Screenshot of the moment of the appearance of orangutans in the meteorological area in the Asan Sampit Hajj Airport area, Thursday (18/4/2024). (ANTARA/HO-BMKG Kotim)

SAMPIT - Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) Resort Sampit, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan (Kalteng), has observed the appearance of orangutans in the Asan Sampit Hajj Airport area last Thursday, April 18. It is certain that this animal has left the area. "The results of our observations can temporarily be ascertained that orangutans have left the airport area. But it is possible to return," said Head of BKSDA Resort Sampit Muriansyah in Sampit, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, April 24. His party first received a report on April 18, 2024 from BMKG staff at Haji Asan Sampit Meteorological Station regarding one large individual orangutan in the former meteorological equipment area behind the local BMKG old office. That same day his party went to the location to make observations. But at that time orangutans could not be found. The next day on April 19, 2024, the second observation was carried out and the orangutan was seen between the trees beside the old BMKG office. The animal is strongly suspected to have come from a forest area opposite the runway of Asan Sampit Hajj Airport. The animal entered the airport area, precisely the side area of the old BMKG office, which still has many trees to find food. Because, he said, several hundred meters from that location there were fruit trees belonging to residents. "Friday afternoon, orangutans were seen, male with a size that was quite large. At that time, we planned to conduct a rescue or rescue by asking for help from the WRU team from SKW II Pangkalan Bun," he said. When he received a report from the Sampit Resort BKSDA, he said, actually the Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) BKSDA SKW II Pangkalan Bun team had prepared to launch to East Kotawaringin, but then his party received a report from airport security officers that the animal had returned to its original forest across the runway. Efforts to save orangutans were canceled, because the forest that was entered by the animal was quite large, reaching hundreds of hectares and it was not possible to save. Since then the primate creatures have no longer appeared. Even so, the Sampit Resort BKSDA assisted by airport security officers continues to monitor if at any time the protected animals are re-entered in the airport area, because in addition to being dangerous for the animals themselves, it can also disrupt flight activities at the airport. "We continue to monitor, because the BKSDA also has a post at the airport. If later the orangutans are monitored again around the airport, then we will immediately carry out rescue measures," he said. Muriansyah added that the appearance of orangutans in the airport area has only happened this time. Previously, it was reported that orangutans appeared around the location, but did not enter the airport area. The reduced habitat and instincts for finding food encourage wild animals such as orangutans to enter residential areas. In this regard, he appealed to residents if they saw the emergence of orangutans, they immediately reported to their party or the nearest apparatus.

Residents are asked not to make attempts to catch or hurt the wildlife they meet, because it has the potential to injure oneself and violate the law.