Public Awarness To Save Orangutans Increasing

JAKARTA, June 8 (Antara) - Public awareness in Central Kalimantan to help save protected wildlife, especially the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), continues to increase over time. The Bornean orangutan is now critically endangered, with sharp decline in its populations due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting. Bornean orangutans live only on the island of Kalimantan, where their populations continue to decline. The local people in the area now are highly aware of the need to save them from being extinct. Since Jan 2017, the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has received seven orangutans from the people of East Kotawaringin District. BKSDA spokesman Muriansyah remarked in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, that public awareness to save the Bornean orangutans continues to increase. Over the week, the BKSDA has again evacuated an orangutan and given to Taufik, a resident of Kotabesi sub-district in Sampit, Central Kalimantan. Taufik admitted that four years ago, he found the orangutan in a plantation area and kept it before handing it over to the local Natural Resources Conservation Agency. Recently, more and more wildlife, especially orangutans, go into plantation and settlement areas because their habitats are damaged by forest clearing, forest fires, and illegal logging. Two major strategies to save orangutans from extinction are protecting the individuals or protecting their forest habitats. Both these strategies are complex, but the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said it could contribute to make a difference. In July 2016, the IUCN officially announced that the Bornean orangutans are critically endangered, with their population sharply declining due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting. It was the first time in many decades that the IUCN had a clear understanding of Bornean orangutan population trends. As they are hunted and pushed out of their habitats, losses to this slow-breeding species are enormous and would be extremely difficult to revert. Over the past 40 years, a total of 17.7 million hectares of forest have been destroyed in Kalimantan, mainly due to making way for oil palm plantations. Half of these forests used to be prime orangutan habitat. Since deforestation is accelerating, it is predicted that a further 15 million hectare of forests will be cleared and converted to plantations by 2025. However, this is not the only threat this incredible species is facing; it is being hunted for its meat and to protect crops from being raided. Hence, the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation is keen to release as many Bornean orangutans as possible into their natural habitat in its efforts to save this protected species from extinction. In cooperation with the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency, the BOS Foundation had last Feb again released 12 orangutans into the Bukit Baka National Park in Katingan District . BOS Foundation Chief Executive Officer Jamartin Sihite remarked in Palangkaraya that the 12 Bornean orangutans, eight females and four males, were transported by a team from the Nyaru Menteng conservation center to the Bukit Baka National Park. The trip from the conservation center to the national park took about 10 hours, with the team making a stop every two hours the check the physical condition of the orangutans. Bornean orangutans live only on the island of Borneo, where their populations have declined by 60 percent since 1950. New projections anticipate that their numbers will fall another 22 percent by 2025. "We have a great desire to release as many orangutans as possible, and in 2017, we plan to set free some 100 of them into their natural habitat," Jamartin remarked. The BOS Foundation CEO added that the recent release of 12 orangutans into their natural habitat in the Bukit Baka National Park was the fourth of its kind since 2016. In Oct 2016, the BOS Foundation in East Kalimantan also released four orangutans into the Kehje Sewen Forest to mark 25 years of dedicated work in the field of orangutan conservation. The orangutan release was carried out by the BOS Foundation, together with the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency. Covering an area of 86,450 hectares, the Kehje Sewen Forest in East Kalimantan is managed as an Ecosystem Restoration Concession area by PT Restorasi Habitat Orangutan Indonesia. The BOS Foundation purchased this Ecosystem Restoration Concession in 2010, specifically to be used as a release area for rehabilitated orangutans. Head of the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency Sunandar Trigunajasa revealed that "We are all aware of the fact that the responsibility of species and habitat conservation rests on all of our shoulders, be it the government, the community, the private sector, or public organizations." Therefore, Sunandar asserted that it was necessary for the Natural Resources Conservation Agency to fully support the BOS Foundations orangutan release effort. Realizing that the wild orangutan population is going to sharply decrease in the coming years, Jamartin noted that the foundation was forced to immediately find suitable forest areas for releasing orangutans from its rehabilitation centers. The BOS Foundation desperately needs support and commitment from both central and regional governments not only to provide suitable areas but also to strengthen law enforcement in case of crimes related to habitat destruction. Jamartin stated that the release of orangutans by the BOS Foundation into their natural habitat has only been possible through the cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency, the provincial government, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.