JAKARTA: A Bornean orangutan found on an Indonesian palm plantation has been rescued and returned to the forest, a conservation group said on Wednesday (Aug 19), the latest example of how habitat loss is piling pressure on the critically endangered animal in the wild.
The male orangutan, named "Boncel" and estimated to be 30 to 40 years old, was found in a plantation in the Indonesian portion of Borneo island with four other orangutans in early August, International Animal Rescue (IAR) said in a statement.
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"We found five orangutans (in the area) and we managed to relocate four of them back into the wild, except this male orangutan that still remained in the plantation," said Andiri Nurillah, a veterinarian working for the Indonesian arm of IAR.
The great ape was darted with a tranquiliser at the plantation in Ketapang, West Kalimantan province, before being put in a cage and taken by motor boat on a river to a safer area in the forest.
Boncel the orangutan was translocated to the main forest Aug 18, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/International Animal Rescue Indonesia)
Boncel was in good condition when found, apart from a fractured finger and other minor injuries, said Nurillah, adding that his move had gone smoothly.
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The release came soon after two other Bornean orangutans were rescued from captivity on Java islanRead More – Source
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