The Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation (KKH), the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR) Authority, and the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) – in collaboration with the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation – recently released three more rehabilitated Bornean orangutans. Immediately following their release, the three orangutans were observed by the post-release monitoring (PRM) team.
During a monitoring on Unyu, one of newly released orangutans, the team saw she encountered Alba, the only albino orangutan known to man.
Their immediate greeting served as a heart-warming reminder that during her time at BOS Foundation’s Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre, Alba had been housed together with Unyu.
The Director of Biodiversity Conservation, INDRA EXPLOITASIA, welcome this discovery and stated that this was an interesting reunion."I requested the PRM team – consisting of staff from the National Park Authority and the BOS Foundation – to continue observing Alba for the next 3 (three) months. We really want to ensure that Alba can thrive and live independently in this National Park forest."
Nearly three years ago, on 29 April 2017, the Central Kalimantan BKSDA in collaboration with the Kapuas Hulu Sector Police, and the BOS Foundation rescued Alba in Tanggirang Village, Kapuas Hulu District, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. Following her rescue, Alba spent almost two years in Nyaru Menteng, before she was released back into her natural habitat in TNBBBR, on 18 December 2018.
Head of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Authority (BTNBBBR), AGUNG NUGROHO added that the PRM team consists of selected individuals from local communities who bear the responsibility of ensuring the orangutans released in this national park can thrive well. Their participation also guarantees sustainability of the program, which is very important in terms of nature and biodiversity conservation.
"I have received reports that Alba is capable to explore far, feeds well, and build nests as she travels. She also socializes with other released orangutans in this national park. That is a truly a good thing. We all hope that Alba continues to survive in this forest, and live wild."
Meanwhile the BOS Foundation CEO, DR. IR. JAMARTIN SIHITE, said that his men are committed to working together with the Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation and the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Office in conducting observations and monitoring on the released orangutans in the national park.
"Through this joint effort, we can assess the success rate of orangutan and habitat conservation efforts in Central Kalimantan,"
Since her release in December 2018, up to the end of 2019, observations showed that, on average, Alba spent 56.5% of her active hours in the forest feeding, 27.2% of her time travelling, 13.8% of her time resting, and 2.2% of her time engaged in other behaviours, such as nesting and social interactions.
Most recently, Alba was observed in February of this year, and the team will continue to observe her regularly for the foreseeable future. In addition to Alba, the other released orangutans will also be observed through regular patrols and monitoring to ensure that they can survive in the wild without human assistance.
Conservation work is a collaboration that requires all to actively participate. We always welcome support from others who strive to protect the environment, for the benefit of Indonesia and beyond.
Editors Note :
Images and video documentation are available on this Dropbox link.
The press release is available to download here:
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