Pontianak (29/8) —Health condition of the Bornean orangutan – who was incidently exposed to fire during evacation process - is now improving. For better facility to accelerate the recovery process, this afternoon (29/8) the orangutan was moved to International Animal Rescue (IAR) Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre in Ketapang, West Kalimantan. Previously, the orangutan was treated in Fire Brigade station of Manggala Agni of Rasau Jaya in Kubu Raya District for two days, following the rescue operation led by West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) on 25th to 27th August.

“It will take an estimated 2-3 weeks for the orangutan to recover, and during this period no one is allowed to visit, so the animal won’t be stressed out. Only medic personnel, veterinarian and BKSDA personnel designated for the job are allowed to pay a visit,” said Parsaroan Samosir, Chief Unit Area III West Kalimantan BKSDA. According to him, Tuesday (28/8) medical observation result showed the orangutan’s stress level is very high though it has started to ease. The burn is not too bad and he has started eating fruits such as orange, watermelon and papaya.

The Chief of BKSDA stated that the evacuation process is based on standard protocol and procedure for wildlife evacuation. The process involves medical personnel, veterinarian, and NGO partners who are experienced in handling wildlife such as Yayasan International Animal Rescue (IAR), WWF-Indonesia, Gemawan, Representative from Forum Konservasi Orangutan Kalimantan Barat (FOKKAB), Yayasan Titian and directly witnessed by community members and media.

“Let me emphasize that the orangutan is alive. It survives. The most important thing now is to ensure the recovery of the orangutan before it will be released back to its natural habitat. At this point veterinerian suggested intensive treatment in International Animal Rescue (IAR) Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre in Ketapang. After the recovery we will consult with partners and experts for the release, ” explain Samosir.

It is presumed that the male orangutan from Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus sub-species-- estimated 16-17 years old, 70 Kg—came near human settlements to search for food as the result of habitat degradation, resulting in scarcity of natural food source.

Contact Persons:

• Parsaroan Samosir (Chief Unit Area III, West Kalimantan Natural Resource Conservation Agency) +62-81311537353
• Niken Wuri Handayani (West Kalimantan Natural Resource Conservation Agency) +62-811561412
• Argito (Yayasan IAR Ketapang) +62-81211687123
• M. Wahyu Putra (Yayasan Titian) +62-85753534045
• M. Hermayani Putera (WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program) +62-811578287
• Agus Sutomo (Gemawan) +62-81345412768

Evacuation pictures can be downloaded in the following link, please cite the copyright properly as © SugengHendratno/WWF-Indonesia.

http://www.mediafire.com/?e2wbskgaybil3ex