Ten orangutans in Indonesia have been released into the rainforest of Borneo by the charity Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) UK
Some of them have seen the native forest of Borneo for the first time in their lives. Ten orangutans have been released into the wild by the charity Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) UK with help from the National Conservation Agency, after being rescued from cruel mistreatment and captivity.
Some starring in terrifying tourist shows, others kept in captivity in villages, still others most likely used on palm oil plantations, where they were found before rehabilitation.
Among the primates (5 males, 3 females and 2 cubs), there was also Nenuah the orangutan who, 16 years ago, was forced to wear boxing gloves, to fight against her peers, during terrible shows in a park of fun. Also present in the group was Bali, who was found on a plantation with bullets under the skin at only 4 months of age.
The specimens, after a period of rehabilitation in a specialized center, had to wait months before returning to the wild, as the releases were blocked due to the COVID-19 pandemic: great apes are not immune to contagion.
Here they are! The seven rehabilitated orangutans released back to the wild in our first such operation since the COVID…
Posted by Borneo Orangutan Survival UK – BOS UK on Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Despite the difficulties, the big moment has arrived. The transport has been designed down to the smallest detail, to allow both staff and animals to travel in complete safety. Both team members and orangutans underwent regular COVID tests both before departure and during the trip.
In addition, each orangutan was transported in a large box, after being sedated and subjected to a health check. The monkeys traveled over 150 miles across Borneo, from their reserve in central Kalimantan to the protective forest of Bukit Batikap, the site of liberation.
The specimens were flown from the sanctuary by helicopter, then embarked on a trip through the jungle on off-road vehicles and finally cruising along the river.
Now the monkeys are monitored by a specialized team 24/24 to check that the return to the wild is going in the best way.
Borneo Orangutan Survival UK aims to raise funds of £ 60.000 to free more orangutans into the wild. The organization currently takes care of 419 specimens in custody in its two centers.
We hope that all of these orangutans now live happy lives in their natural habitat and can grow the wild population!
Long live the freedom!
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