MOZA’S JOURNEY FROM KUWAIT TO MOTHERHOOD ON KAJA ISLAND
On September 13, 2015, a two-year-old female orangutan began a long journey back to Indonesia. The young orangutan was later named Moza.
Unfriendly weather conditions yesterday kept Mexa, James, Alibaba, and Danur from getting back to their new home in Bukit Batikap Conservation Forest. Unfortunately this meant that they had to stay another night in our transit enclosures at PT Indo Muro Kencana (IMK) and could only be flown today once the helicopter pilot deemed the conditions to be safe. This morning there was good news from our team in Bukit Batikap, reporting that weather conditions in Bukit Batikap were very bright and clear.
Impatient for Coming Home
The Medical Team began preparing at 6.30 am. Our veterinarians, Agus Fahroni and Riani Anggun Mumpuni, sedated four adult orangutans so that the team could safely move them into travel cages ready for their journey. Today is the last departure for our orangutan release candidates within this event. These four orangutans have lived on our Pre-release islands for several years learning all the necessary skills they need to return to the forest. The Medical Team and technicians are very careful and meticulous in moving the orangutans into the travel cages, ensuring the safety of all team members on duty and of course the orangutans.
Mexa, the only female orangutan in this last group, was the first orangutan sedated. Alibaba, Danur, and James followed Mexa then all were easily moved from transit enclosures to travel cages. The four travel cages containing the beautiful Mexa and three adult male orangutans were then secured safely within the sling net and were ready to be flown by Squirrel helicopter to Bukit Batikap.
Weather conditions were good and at 9 am the helicopter took off, leaving the IMK helipad to deliver Mexa, James, Alibaba, and Danur to Bukit Batikap.
Read also: EXPRESSING LOVE WITH FREEDOM DAY-3
Preparation of the travel cages for Mexa and friends. -Photo by Anton Nurcahyo
Sleep time for Mexa, James, Alibaba and Danur after sedation. -Photo by Iwan Pribadi
Preparation of the travel cages for Mexa and friends. -Photo by Anton Nurcahyo
The helicopter flies Mexa and friends back home. -Photo by Iwan Pribadi
Finally, They Are Home
Mexa, James, Alibaba and Danur’s journey from Puruk Cahu to Bukit Batikap took place smoothly and according to the schedule, within 45 minutes they landed safely in Bukit Batikap. The team in charge of transportation readily removed the four travel cages from the net and transported them to the release point determined earlier.
At 10.45 am, the helicopter returning from Bukit Batikap carrying four empty travel cages and of course good news that Mexa, James, Alibaba, and Danur were now living in their true home. Our team in Bukit Batikap reported Mexa and her friends were excited and ran directly into the forest after their cages were opened. Alibaba has become an active orangutan, being aggressive towards Danur when they met. Danur, who has a body size larger than Alibaba, went out of the way to avoid him.
Forest life has begun! Welcome to your new home Mexa, James, Alibaba, and Danur!
Please wait for the next story from our team in Bukit Batikap and catch up on all the excitement of the twenty orangutans who are now living in their new home!
On September 13, 2015, a two-year-old female orangutan began a long journey back to Indonesia. The young orangutan was later named Moza.
In the Tuanan Research Station, wild male orangutans move through the canopy with remarkable strength and grace. Among them is Dayak: a majestic flanged male whose broad cheek pads signal maturity, dominance, and excellent health.
Roy, a young male orangutan estimated to be around two years old, is now undergoing rehabilitation at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Central Kalimantan.
