By Dean Murray
Three critically endangered orangutans have been released into a national park after years of rehabilitation.
Badul, Korwas, and Asoka were carefully transported to Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR) in Borneo, Indonesia, before being gently let out of their cages.
Each of the orangutans has endured a past shaped by habitat loss and illegal trade.
Badul, once kept in a zoo enclosure beside other animals, spent eight years relearning forest survival skills; Korwas was rescued from wildlife traffickers after being advertised on social media; and Asoka, taken from the wild as an infant, underwent a decade of rehabilitation before proving fit to return.
The orangutans were entrusted by BKSDA West Kalimantan, Indonesia’s wildlife protection and habitat conservation agency, to YIARI’s Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Sungai Awan Kiri Village, Ketapang.
Attending “forest school” there allowed them to learn skills including climbing, foraging, nest building, and social interaction.
Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park was selected as the release site because it still has good forest cover, abundant food resources, and relatively low human pressure.
After release, a joint YIARI–BTNBBBR team will conduct monitoring to ensure the adaptation process proceeds well. Monitoring focuses on foraging ability, nest building, and the maintenance of wild behaviour in the new environment.
YIARI Chairman Silverius Oscar Unggul said: “Every orangutan successfully returned to the forest is the result of a long process: rescue, rehabilitation, and routine care by dedicated teams. The release of these three orangutans is not only good news for YIARI but also for the future of Indonesia’s biodiversity.
“We deeply appreciate the support of BKSDA West Kalimantan, TNBBBR, and the surrounding communities who help ensure that forests remain safe homes for orangutans.”
YIARI is a strategic partner of UK-based International Animal Rescue (IAR), who collaborate to develop holistic programmes to protect wildlife and habitats, and deliver a positive impact for communities, ecosystems and the environment.
IAR’s CEO, Gavin Bruce, said: “The release of these three orangutans is the culmination of years of dedication from the team at YIARI. Without this intervention, their story would have been very different, and they would have been lost to the population.
“The strong relationship between YIARI, the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, the BKSDA, and the National Park Authority drives this successful outcome for Indonesia’s biodiversity.
“YIARI will now monitor these newly reintroduced orangutans to ensure they thrive in the wild and help rebuild the population.”
Bornean orangutans are critically endangered primarily due to massive habitat loss from deforestation for palm oil, logging, mining, and agriculture, alongside poaching and fires.
