Central Kalimantan, 9 November 2024 – The Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR) Agency, in collaboration with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS Foundation), and other parties are releasing six orangutans that have undergone intensive rehabilitation at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Central Kalimantan. The six orangutans, consisting of three males and three females, have now been officially returned to their natural habitat in the forest of TNBBBR, specifically in Region II, under the National Park Management Office of Kasongan.
These orangutans have undergone an extensive rehabilitation process to ensure their survival in the wild while also playing a significant role in maintaining ecological balance. With the skills they developed during rehabilitation, they are now prepared to fulfill their role as an umbrella species in the tropical rainforests of Borneo.
HEAD OF THE CENTRAL KALIMANTAN BKSDA, PERSADA AGUSSETIA SITEPU, S.HUT., M.SI., praised the resilience of the orangutans in adapting to their natural habitat, highlighting their importance for ecosystem sustainability. “While we assist in returning orangutans to the forest, their natural habitat, the real heroes are the orangutans themselves. The six individuals we released today symbolize their incredible strength and ability to confront the challenges of nature. With the skills they acquired during rehabilitation, they have demonstrated their heroism in fighting for their own freedom.”
HEAD OF THE TNBBBR, ANDI MUHAMMAD KADHAFI, S.HUT., M.SI., stated that releasing the orangutans symbolizes a collective commitment to preserving biodiversity and natural habitats within conservation areas. “In the spirit of National Heroes Day and National Wildlife Love Day (HCPSN), this orangutan release aligns with our mission at the Directorate General of Nature Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) to protect endangered wildlife. We hope each released orangutan can live freely and safely and be protected in the TNBBBR. This initiative reflects our commitment to the well–being of individual orangutans and is also part of our long–term efforts to strengthen the broader ecosystem. By doing so, we ensure the sustainability of nature for future generations.”
DR. IR. JAMARTIN SIHITE, MSC., CHAIRMAN OF THE BOS FOUNDATION, emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including the government, conservation organisations, and local communities, in addressing the ongoing threats to wildlife. “On this National Heroes Day, we are reminded of the urgent need to protect Indonesia’s endangered wildlife and maintain the balance of ecosystems that support the sustainability of all living creatures. With support from all parties, we believe conservation efforts can provide long-term benefits for wildlife and humanity. Let us all commit to preserving our natural resources, which are an invaluable legacy for future generations.”
The BOS Foundation would also like to express its appreciation for the support and contributions of our global partner organisations: BOS Australia, BOS Germany, BOS New Zealand, BOS Schweiz, BOS UK, BOS USA, and Save the Orangutan. Their ongoing support is crucial to the success of our conservation mission in Indonesia. We are very grateful for the support from prominent business entities such as PT Bank Central Asia, Tbk., PT Sawit Sumber Mas Sarana (SSMS), and various other organisations, including Orangutan Outreach; and individual donors from around the world who support our nature conservation work in Indonesia.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
ABOUT BOS FOUNDATION
Founded in 1991, the BOS Foundation is a non-profit Indonesian organisation dedicated to the conservation of Bornean orangutans and their natural habitats, working together with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, local communities, and international partner organisations.
Alongside a range of other activities that include ecosystem restoration, community development, and education programs, the BOS Foundation currently cares for more than 300 orangutans across two rehabilitation centres. This is accomplished with the support of 400 highly dedicated staff members and experts in the fields of primatology, biodiversity, ecology, forest rehabilitation, agroforestry, community empowerment, communications, education, and orangutan welfare. For further information, please visit www.orangutan.or.id.
ABOUT ORANGUTAN RELEASES
Since 2012, the BOS Foundation has released 533 orangutans into two release sites in Central Kalimantan (Bukit Batikap Protection Forest and Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park) and one in East Kalimantan (Kehje Sewen Forest). This is the 44th release conducted by the BOS Foundation in Central Kalimantan. These releases have increased the total population of released orangutans in TNBBBR to 214 orangutans.
