Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Forestry Ministry and the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok have repatriated four Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) and Tapanuli orangutans (Pongo tapanuliensis) that were victims of illegal wildlife trafficking from Thailand to Indonesia.
“Hard work and synergy between ministries and institutions are needed to safeguard our borders to prevent such crime from recurring,” said Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He also highlighted the condition of Sumatran forests, the orangutan's natural habitat, which are currently facing various environmental pressures.
"The repatriation serves as a reminder for the Forestry Ministry to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and ensure that forests are properly protected so that orangutans can continue to live safely in their natural habitat," Antoni said.
Based on physical identification and DNA testing, the four orangutans consist of three Sumatran orangutans (two males and one female) and one female Tapanuli orangutan. Examination results indicate that all four still have a good chance of undergoing successful rehabilitation.
The official handover of the four orangutans was carried out by the Thai government to the Indonesian government through the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok on Tuesday (Dec 23) at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.
During the flight, the orangutans were placed in special cages in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards and accompanied by a veterinarian to ensure constant health monitoring.
Thai authorities confiscated the four orangutans in cases involving the foiled illegal wildlife trade in January and May 2025.
At the time of confiscation, the orangutans were estimated to be under one month old and were subsequently cared for at the Khao Pratubchang Wildlife Rescue Center in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand, under supervision of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP).
The four orangutans will now be cared for at the Sumatran Rescue Alliance (SRA) Rehabilitation Center in Besitang, Langkat District, North Sumatra, before being released back into the wild.
