Huge male orangutan rescued after illegal mining and logging destroy his forest home in West Borneo.
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Huge orangutan rescued after illegal mining and logging destroy his forest home. Photos and video, copyright International Animal Rescue: Footage of Inap in the quarantine cage: https://www.dropbox.com/s/e31rklsdbaxe3nl/Inap%20into%20Quarantine.mp4?dl=0v
Despite a reduction in the number of forest fires in Ketapang Regency, West Borneo, the survival of orangutans in the area remains under threat from Illegal mining and logging which damage forests and natural habitats.
A team recently rescued an adult male orangutan affected by illegal mining and logging in the hamlet of Sungai Pelang, Matan Hilir Selatan District (24 January.) The operation was carried out by members of International Animal Rescue (IAR) Indonesia and the Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) for the Conservation of Natural Resources (BKSDA) in Ketapang
The presence of the orangutan was first reported by a villager in mid-January after it entered his garden. The IAR Indonesia Orangutan Protection Unit (OPU) followed up on this report by confirming the presence of the orangutan and carrying out conflict mitigation to encourage him back into the forest. However, because the forest had already been opened up and fragmented as a result of illegal gold mining and illegal logging, the orangutan, named Inap by the rescue unit, returned to the community garden in search of food.
The IAR team finally decided to evacuate the orangutan which they believed to be over 20 years old and bring him to IAR’s rescue and rehabilitation centre for further examination before moving him to a better location. The team used a dart gun to anaesthetise the orangutan before capturing him.
Before he was rescued by the joint team from IAR Indonesia and the BKSDA, the villagers had tried to catch the orangutan with a rope which had cut and blistered his hands. This was a source of regret for Karmele L Sanchez, Director of IAR Indonesia. She said: "We ask and sincerely hope that the public will always report the discovery of an orangutan to the relevant officers at the BKSDA and IAR Indonesia, rather than trying to capture it without using proper procedures and so potentially endangering themselves and the animal.”
From the location survey, it was known that the existing forest has been cut into pieces by land clearing for mining and illegal logging. Satellite imagery shows that the remaining forest area is much narrower than the open land. Therefore, it was no surprise that the orangutan had been driven from his natural habitat by the illegal activity.
Sadtata Noor, Head of the BKSDA, commented: "Yet again we have a case of human/wildlife conflict. When will we resolve this? It is time for the government and partners to take concrete steps. Comprehensive policies, awareness and innovative solutions must start now!"
Alan Knight OBE, IAR Chief Executive, added: “I heartily endorse the words of Sadtata Noor. We are running out of time to save the orangutan and if no positive action is taken to tackle the threats to the species’ survival, at the current rate of population decline, before too long it will disappear forever – and magnificent male orangutans like Inap will become no more than a distant memory. And what a terrible tragedy that would be for us all.”
Ends. For further information, please contact Lis Key at IAR on 07957 824379 www.internationalanimalrescue.org/orangutan-sanctuary |
Inap is anaesthetised using a dart gun before being lifted into a crate and transported to the International Animal Rescue orangutan centre.
About Us
At International Animal Rescue we not only save animals from suffering, we also rehabilitate and release them back into the wild and work to protect their precious natural habitats. Our work includes cutting free and caring for captive bears in India and Armenia, rescuing and rehabilitating orangutans and other primates in Indonesia and treating injured and orphaned howler monkeys in Costa Rica. Our aim is to return animals to their natural environment wherever possible, but we also provide a permanent home for those that can no longer fend for themselves.
As human populations expand, wildlife comes under increasing threat. By rescuing individual animals belonging to species like the orangutan and reintroducing them into protected areas in the wild, our work also plays a role in the conservation of the species as a whole.
Our vision is a world where humans and animals coexist in sustainable environments. Our mission is to build awareness and implement effective systems to protect animals and habitats.
Contacts
Lis Key
Media and Communications
lis@internationalanimalrescue.orgPhone: +1825 767688 Mobile: +7957 824379
www.internationalanimalrescue.org