Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry has released four rehabilitated orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) into the Gunung Batu Mesangat Protected Forest in East Kalimantan.

The ministry's East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA), assisted by the Kelinjau Forest Management Unit (KPH) and the Center for Orangutan Protection (COP), released the orangutans on June 13.

"The four orangutans are male orangutans named Annie, Berani, Talian, and Lanang," the head of East Kalimantan BKSDA, M. Ari Wibawanto, said in a statement on Friday, June 21, 2024.

He added that these orangutans are government property entrusted to the COP Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.

Wibawanto explained that Annie, estimated to be 9-11 years old, and Berani, aged around 14-17, underwent rehabilitation after being rescued from illegal ownership by the East Kalimantan BKSDA in 2018.

Meanwhile, Lanang and Talian are wild orangutans who have had negative interactions with humans.

The East Kalimantan BKSDA Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) Team rescued them in late 2023 and early 2024. They required intensive treatment for serious health problems before being released.

Wibawanto said the rehabilitation program aimed to relearn survival skills for animals previously kept by humans.

A 2016 habitat study identified the Gunung Batu Mesangat Protected Forest as suitable for orangutan release.

Additionally, a 2016 population and habitat viability analysis (PHVA) of orangutans conducted by the Indonesia Orangutan Forum (FORINA) estimated the wild orangutan population in Kalimantan to be around 57,350.

Orangutans are critically endangered, according to the IUCN Red List.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1883048/4-orangutans-released-into-east-kalimantan-protected-fores