RRI.CO.ID, Banda Aceh - The Leuser Mount National Park Center (BBTNGL) in Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, recently confirmed the birth of a new Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), born to a renowned rehabilitated female named Pesek. This latest addition marks a significant victory for conservationists monitoring the species' survival in the wild.

The Head of the Leuser Mount National Park Agency Center, Subhan, announced in Banda Aceh on Thursday, March 27, 2026, that the birth was first documented by officers from the Bukit Lawang Resort. The infant was born on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at approximately 1 a.m. Jakarta time along the Kayu Putih Trail 1.

As reported by Antara, while the sex of the newborn has not yet been determined, initial field observations confirm that both the mother and the infant are in healthy condition.

Pesek’s journey from captivity to becoming a matriarch in the wild serves as a remarkable case study for the agency. She was first handed over by the community in Binjai, North Sumatra, in 1993 at the estimated age of five.

Now, at 38 years old, Pesek has successfully integrated into the wild, with this latest infant being her seventh offspring born within the national park.

Her reproductive history reflects the fluctuating challenges of life in the wild, beginning with her first child, April, in 1997, followed by Hirim (2001-2002), Alam (2004), Wati (2004), Valentino (2013), and Pandemik (2020). The newest member of the lineage, born this past Tuesday, has yet to be named.

To ensure their continued well-being, the BBTNGL team and their partners will maintain close monitoring of the pair within their natural habitat.

Beyond the individual joy of the birth, the event carries a broader message regarding the viability of Sumatra's protected areas. Subhan emphasized that this success is a testament to the synergy between rehabilitation efforts and environmental preservation.

"The birth of an orangutan from a rehabilitated mother who has successfully adapted and bred in the wild is a vital indicator of the success of wildlife rehabilitation. This also proves the effectiveness of habitat protection within the Gunung Leuser National Park area," remarked Subhan. ***