Two Orangutans, Aming and Mona Released in Betung Kerihun National Park

Author: Muhammad Alif
February 2, 2024

Orangutan release in The Betung Kerihun National Park. Photo source: ksdae.menlhk.go.id

SEAToday.com, Kapuas Hulu-The Betung Kerihun and Lake Sentarum National Park (Tana Bentarum), together with the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Sintang Orangutan Rescue Foundation (YPOS), released two orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in stage 13, named Aming and Mona, in the Betung Kerihun National Park (TNBK) area.

According to The Directorate General of Nature Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, this release was the first Orangutan release conducted in 2024. The release of Aming and Mona was carried out on 26 January 2024 after several studies on the readiness and health of individual orangutans based on the examination of Veterinarians and the Orangutan Rehabilitation Team at the Sintang Orangutan Rescue Foundation.

In addition, the team has identified the suitability of habitat and food availability for orangutans at the release site, and the socio-economic impact on the community, and developed a post-release monitoring plan. Both Orangutans have also received a recommendation for release from the Directorate of Species and Genetic Biodiversity Conservation. Nine years old male orangutan, Aming, and eight years old female orangutan, Mona, were released in Rongun River, Sub Das Mendalam, PTN Section Region III Padua Mendalam, PTN Division Region II Kedamin, Betung Kerihun National Park.

Previously, the team had conducted 12 stages of orangutan releases in the Betung Kerihun National Park with 28 orangutans. With this release, the total number of orangutan releases in the Betung Kerihun National Park area is 13 times with 30 orangutans. Orangutan rehabilitation takes a long time and costs a lot of money. This depends on the physical condition and trauma experienced by the orangutan.