ENCOUNTERING WILD ORANGUTANS IN TUANAN

One of our Communication teams in Mawas Conservation Program, Central Kalimantan revisited the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station. It is estimated that there are fewer than 2,500 wild orangutans living in this area. Nearby, we also have a specialized tree planting program aimed at restoring the environment in the region. Our team regularly monitors this planting program to ensure it is running well.

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In the afternoon, our team returned by motorboat after completing the monitoring of the ongoing planting program. At the same time, they encountered a wild orangutan crossing in front of them. Initially, our team did not notice the presence of the orangutan. They only realized when the trees in front of them started to move as they passed by. It turned out that one wild orangutan was happily eating the bark of a rubber tree.

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Our team tried to approach for a documenting of the orangutan. However, it wasn’t long before the wild orangutan, which was identified as male, noticed our team’s presence. Feeling disturbed by our team, the wild orangutan began shaking the branches of the tree while occasionally making kiss squeak sounds. The male orangutan then moved on and went deeper into the canopy, leaving our team and entourage behind. Not wanting to disturb the wild orangutan further, our team decided not to follow.

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This area had previously been used as a translocation centre for wild orangutans during the forest fires that occurred in Sungai Mangkutup in 2015. At that time, a joint team consisting of the Central Kalimantan BKSDA and the BOS Foundation successfully rescued 39 wild orangutans. The wild orangutans were eventually released back into safer locations. This brief encounter with our team indicates the presence of wild orangutan populations that need to be well conserved.