Life in Lamandau
The highs and lows of orangutan conservation this International Orangutan Day.
Image: Acuy and newborn son, OF
Saturday 19 August marks International Orangutan Day.
All three species of orangutan (Tapanuli, Sumatran, Bornean), found only in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra, are Critically Endangered. Although an accurate population census is difficult, it is estimated that one-third of the wild population was lost in the terrible forest fires of 1997-98 leaving today's numbers close to 65,000.
2,000-3,000 orangutans are killed annually, according to reporting. The main threats are deforestation, illegal hunting, the pet trade, and conflict with humans.
Orangutans have also lost 80% of their forest home in the last 20 years - habitat loss remains the primary threat to their survival.
By partnering with Orangutan Foundation and Ape Alliance in recent years, we have been able to support their work conserving wild orangutans and restoring their forest habitat.
New life in Lamandau - Acuy's son
Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo is where we have been supporting forest restoration efforts with Orangutan Foundation. To maintain the long-term viability of the orangutan population in the reserve, it is crucial to restore areas where the forest has been destroyed. Currently around 600 orangutans live in this area.
Since the reserve was established in 1998 from two former logging concessions, nearly 100 of those orangutans have been born wild here, which shows what a vital habitat this is.
The most recent arrival was at the end of July when Acuy, an experienced Mum, welcomed her third infant, a brother for Amina & Ariel.
Endut's Story
Not all orangutans enjoy a smooth start to life in the forest. Orangutan Foundation also rescue, rahabilitate and release orangutans. Some of these have been orphaned by natural events while others have a darker story - being taken by the pet trade, or orphaned or injured due to human/wildlfe conflict.
Endut was rescued in 2016 from the illegal pet trade. The infant orangutan was found in a villager's home in a chicken wire cage, surviving on a diet of milk and bananas. He weighed 4kg. The Orangutan Foundation have cared for Endut ever since, with a view to him returning to the wild one day.
Over the last 6-7 years, Endut has grown and learnt many forest skills. These prepare him for a new and independent life in the forest.
In January, plans for Endut's release hit a bump in the road. Endut decided to take himself off and ended up in danger near a palm oil plantation. The team eventually found him and returned him to the safety of Lamandau.
Six months on from Endut's first foray into the wild, and things have gone a little smoother! Endut was officially released in July and is making good progress.
He will continue to be monitored by the team but contact will reduce all the time as he transitions from the soft release programme to a truly wild orangutan.
Endut (rescued as an infant)
Credit: OF
Endut released to the forest in July 2023
Credit: OF
The loss of Leon
You may remember Leon the orangutan, as we recently featured him in a news post (New Shoots, 31 May).
We were greatly saddened to hear that Leon, the three-year-old son of Labetty was found dead, close to Camp Rasek. It is unclear what happened to little Leon but it is thought he fell from the nest into the water and drowned.
Leon was Labetty's first-born and the pair were often seen around Camp Rasek - he will be greatly missed.
The team were impressed at what a devoted mother Labetty had been these past three years, and we very much hope she will go on to have another infant in time.
Image: Labetty & Leon, OF