BOSF Orangutan Rescue: Another Life Saved
Date Posted: December 4, 2023
Text by: Communications Team at Nyaru Menteng, Central Kalimantan & Orangutan Outreach
Photos by: BOSF - Yohannes Eko P
Another orangutan has been saved by the BOS Foundation. In early September, a resident of Sei Gohong village, located near BOS Nyaru Menteng, reported that a wild orangutan had approached the outskirts of the village area.
A male orangutan was seen close to the village, with residents attempting to scare it away by shouting and preventing it from entering the village. As a result, the orangutan refrained from approaching and remained perched in a tree near the river bank.
An orangutan entering a residential area is not good for the well being of either the orangutan or the villagers. As a result, the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation immediately dispatched a joint wildlife rescue team to the location to conduct a rescue. However, a large number of onlookers had gathered, making the rescue and evacuation of the orangutan more difficult.
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As the BOSF medical team prepared to use the tranquilizer gun, the clever orangutan realized there was a weapon pointed at him and instinctively knew his safety was in danger. He quickly moved from one tree to the next, protecting himself and avoiding being caught. It took patience and waiting for the perfect moment, our team was able to successfully shoot a tranquilizer dart into the orangutan's back.
Once the orangutan had fallen asleep, he was immediately assessed on-site. Further examinations were conducted at the BKSDA headquarters in Central Kalimantan to confirm and record the orangutan's health condition. He was then transferred to the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre, where he was given the name ‘Oyo’.
Following a complete health check by the BOS Foundation’s veterinary team and BKSDA staff, Oyo was translocated to the border of Palas Island in Tumbang Tahai Village on 11 September. This relocation was important for Oyo, so he could avoid returning to residential areas. Hopefully he'll stay out of trouble! Good luck, Oyo!