Last May Was Released, Now Owa Ungko In Tahura Sultan Syarif Hasyim Evacuated Again

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) team has again evacuated a male gibbon gibbon or wau-wau (Hylobates agilis) in the Sultan Syarif Hasyim Grand Forest Park (Tahura), which often takes to the streets.

Riau BBKSDA Technical Head, Mahfud, explained the evacuation of the gibbon gibbons after they received a report from the tofu officials regarding the condition of the gibbon gibbons after being released into the wild.

"So yesterday we released 2 birds. But we are observing one again because of space problems, because they have territory and because of the need for space, this one has not yet received," said Mahfud, Friday, August 5.

Sultan Syarif Hasyim's Tahura is actually a conservation forest area that is included in the districts of Kampar, Siak and Pekanbaru City in Riau Province.

Mahfud said the gibbon gibbon was 10 years old and released in mid-May 2022.

The gibbon gibbon was still young so he came back closer to the office. Then, he was rescued again and asked to be observed again and treated.

"This protected animal has only survived for about 1 month in Tahura and is now in the Riau BBKSDA. During its release, the primate is reported to have often taken to the streets. They even stopped passing vehicles and asked for food," he said.

This condition prompted the officers at Tahura to ask the gibbon gibbons to be re-observed, including to find a new location for reintroduction.

"Yes, we will look for another place when there is a study. If the problem of food sources in Tahura is abundant. This is because he does not get space, he goes back down to meet residents and motorists," he said.

Last May 15, Riau's BBKSDA released the gibbon gibbon at Sultan Syarif Hasyim's Tahura in Pekanbaru City, Riau. The release of the gibbon gibbons was carried out directly by the Deputy Minister of Forestry Environment (LHK) Dr Alue Dohong.

Protected animals such as arboreal apes belonging to the Hylobatidae tribe are expected to live normally in the wild. The release is also expected to increase the population of the gibbon gibbon in the wild in the hope that the gibbon gibbon can breed naturally.

Alue said that the area of the Sultan Syarif Hasyim Grand Forest in Pekanbaru City, Riau is 2,500 ha. On the land there are still various types of animals such as elephants, bears and Sumatran tigers.