Five Rehabilitated Sumatran Orangutans Prepared for Release in Bukit Tigapuluh
- 04 Sep 2026 13:14 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Five rescued Sumatran orangutans are being rehabilitated at the Open Orangutan Sanctuary (OOS) in Danau Alo, West Tanjung Jabung.
- Four orangutans were transferred from the Sumatra Orangutan Rehabilitation Quarantine Center in North Sumatra, while one was rescued in Dumai, Riau.
RRI.CO.ID, Jambi City - The release of five rehabilitated Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) by the Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) in the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park area is more than a wildlife rescue effort.
Their return as “forest gardeners” carries a vital mission: restoring and stimulating natural forest regeneration through their role as seed dispersers.
“These are Sumatran orangutans. They have been here for a week. They are currently at our rehabilitation station and are receiving care,” said Head of BKSDA Jambi, Himawan Sasongko, in Jambi on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Himawan explained that four of the five orangutans came from the Orangutan Rehabilitation Quarantine Center (PKRO) in North Sumatra, following rescues in Langkat and Padang Lawas regencies. The remaining individual was rescued in Dumai City, Riau.
According to Antara, the five protected animals are now at the Open Orangutan Sanctuary (OOS) rehabilitation station in the Danau Alo area, Renah Mendaluh Subdistrict, West Tanjung Jabung Regency.
He said the orangutans were relocated to Jambi because the province has adequate facilities and an advanced education pathway to support Sumatran orangutan rehabilitation before release.
At the station, the orangutans undergo advanced “school” training to sharpen their wild instincts and survival abilities. This step is necessary because their natural instincts have diminished due to human interaction, whether as former pets or through enforcement actions.
Himawan noted that each orangutan’s adaptation period varies, ranging over several months, depending on individual life histories and levels of agility.
After the adaptation phase, BKSDA Jambi plans to release the orangutans in border areas between Bukit Tigapuluh National Park and production forests, either in Tebo Regency or West Tanjung Jabung Regency.
The release aims to increase the Sumatran orangutan population in its natural habitat to an optimal level. Their presence also helps restore and regenerate forest ecosystems naturally through their role as seed dispersers.
“We continuously monitor them, and their condition is good. Once their wild behavior returns to normal, we will release them in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park,” said Himawan. ***
News Recomendation
Loading latest news.....