Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA) – East Kalimantan’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has rescued a thin, isolated male orangutan from a plantation in Menamang Kanan Village, Kutai Kartanegara District.
“We rescued the 20-year-old orangutan after receiving an emergency report about the animal appearing in a company’s operational area,” BKSDA East Kalimantan Chief M. Ari Wibawanto said in Samarinda on Thursday.
BKSDA officers first received the report about the protected primate through their call center on Sunday, September 13.
The animal’s frail and deteriorating condition prompted the rescue team to quickly travel to its location in Muara Kaman Subdistrict.
“BKSDA East Kalimantan’s Wildlife Rescue Unit, together with Conservation Action Network (CAN) and the company’s management, responded to the report on Monday, September 14,” Ari said.
The evacuation of the orangutan weighing only 25 to 30 kilograms, far below its normal weight, was conducted carefully because the area around PT SHJ’s production site had been severely affected by drought.
Rivers around the orangutan’s natural habitat had reportedly dried up completely, triggering shortages of drinking water and natural food.
“When evacuated, the male orangutan was extremely thin, weighing only about 25 to 30 kilograms, compared with its normal weight,” Ari said.
The adult male was strongly suspected of suffering severe dehydration due to reduced water supplies and declining forest vegetation.
After being secured, the orangutan was immediately transported to a care facility for intensive medical treatment.
“Veterinarians from CAN’s network provided emergency treatment to stabilize the animal and restore its body fluids,” Ari said.
Its health is being monitored regularly until the Bornean endemic primate’s stamina and metabolism recover.
After overcoming the critical period, the orangutan is scheduled for further rehabilitation until it is ready to return to its natural forest habitat.
“This rapid cooperation shows that a shared commitment can give wildlife a new chance of survival amid threats from drought,” Ari said.
BKSDA East Kalimantan urged all parties to report sightings of protected wildlife to prevent potential conflicts and help preserve natural ecosystems.
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Translator: Ahmad R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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