As part of the commitment to implementing animal welfare principles, the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre has been relocated to a new site. This move marks an important step in ensuring that orangutans undergoing rehabilitation can learn and develop more effectively in a supportive environment.
Previously, the Nyaru Menteng rehabilitation facility was situated in an area that has now been designated as a communal urban forest. While the urban forest brings benefits to the surrounding community, this location was less than ideal for an orangutan rehabilitation centre. The frequent human presence around the facility could disrupt the learning process of orangutans, who should have minimal human interaction in order to successfully reintegrate into their natural habitat.
The primary principle of orangutan rehabilitation is to restore their ability to survive in the wild, without dependence on humans. Therefore, a new location that is quieter and free from human disturbances was chosen to ensure the rehabilitation process adheres to the highest animal welfare standards.
With the move to the new site, the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre now has a more conducive environment to support the development of orangutans. A more natural setting with minimal human distractions is expected to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation, allowing orangutans to focus on learning survival skills such as foraging, nest-building, and recognizing potential dangers in the wild.
Additionally, this relocation supports long-term conservation efforts. With a more optimal rehabilitation process, orangutans that are ready for release have a greater chance of successfully surviving in the forest without returning to human settlements. This plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance and preventing human-wildlife conflicts.
The relocation of the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre to a new site is tangible proof of commitment to ensuring the welfare of orangutans during their rehabilitation period. This decision benefits not only the rehabilitated orangutans but also the surrounding community and conservation efforts as a whole.
Moving forward, it is hoped that this new rehabilitation center will serve as a place where orangutans can truly learn to become independent individuals, ready to return to their natural habitat. In doing so, we all contribute to the sustainability of orangutan populations and the preservation of the tropical forests they call home.
Text by: Communications Team, BOS Foundation
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