Roger Lee
Fri, Jan-26-07, 17:16
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070126/sc_nm/indonesia_orangutan-
s_dc Orangutans re-learn monkey business in Indonesia
Fri Jan 26, 6:21 AM ET
JAKARTA (Reuters Life!) - Kevin is a one-year-old orphan who's
taking a walk on the wild side. ADVERTISEMENT
The Indonesian orangutan is one of 17 primates who were
illegally captured and sold as pets but who are now learning
to adjust to living in their natural habitat, thanks to the
Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme in the North
Sumatra province.
"Most of the orangutans in this quarantine are seized from
houses. Kevin is the youngest," said programme manager Asril,
referring to the recently captured primates.
"We also have a Borneo orangutan. We got him during a raid in
Belawan. We estimate his age is 16," he added.
Most rescued animals need regular exercise to strengthen their
muscles so they can again swing in the trees of the vast
Sumatran forest.
Authorities say the orangutans will spend between six to 12
months in the quarantine center before being released into the
Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park in Jambi province.
Many of the country's orangutans have been illegally taken to
countries all over Asia and Europe and Indonesia is making
continuous efforts to have them returned home.
The primate's population in Indonesia has been decreasing
rapidly as their habitat in Borneo and Sumatra has been
disrupted by illegal logging, forest fires, poaching of
orangutan babies and the illegal pet trade.
In 2002, it was estimated there were around 60,000 orangutans
left in the jungles of Borneo and Sumatra islands. Some
ecologists say the number has now been halved and others say
the species could become extinct in 20 years.
s_dc Orangutans re-learn monkey business in Indonesia
Fri Jan 26, 6:21 AM ET
JAKARTA (Reuters Life!) - Kevin is a one-year-old orphan who's
taking a walk on the wild side. ADVERTISEMENT
The Indonesian orangutan is one of 17 primates who were
illegally captured and sold as pets but who are now learning
to adjust to living in their natural habitat, thanks to the
Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme in the North
Sumatra province.
"Most of the orangutans in this quarantine are seized from
houses. Kevin is the youngest," said programme manager Asril,
referring to the recently captured primates.
"We also have a Borneo orangutan. We got him during a raid in
Belawan. We estimate his age is 16," he added.
Most rescued animals need regular exercise to strengthen their
muscles so they can again swing in the trees of the vast
Sumatran forest.
Authorities say the orangutans will spend between six to 12
months in the quarantine center before being released into the
Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park in Jambi province.
Many of the country's orangutans have been illegally taken to
countries all over Asia and Europe and Indonesia is making
continuous efforts to have them returned home.
The primate's population in Indonesia has been decreasing
rapidly as their habitat in Borneo and Sumatra has been
disrupted by illegal logging, forest fires, poaching of
orangutan babies and the illegal pet trade.
In 2002, it was estimated there were around 60,000 orangutans
left in the jungles of Borneo and Sumatra islands. Some
ecologists say the number has now been halved and others say
the species could become extinct in 20 years.