As of October 2023, Piet, the young male orangutan rescued from an owner, is making progress in his new environment at the Sintang Quarantine Center. Piet, estimated to be around 1 year old, arrived at the center on September 29, 2023, after being rescued. The rescue operation was carried out by the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in collaboration with the Sintang Orangutan Center (SOC). This operation was initiated based on a report from a concerned resident from Nanga Raya Hamlet, Nanga Raya Village, Belimbing Hulu Subdistrict, Melawi Regency.
Previously, the orangutan was found by the owner in the protected forest area, Sungai Beluai. The orangutan was abandoned on the forest floor without a mother, attracting the attention of the owner, who was gathering wood and hunting in the area. The orangutan, later named Rayo, was estimated to be around 1 year old but was in very poor physical condition, suffering from malnutrition and diseases such as worms and flu.
Rayo’s owner had kept him since April 2023, providing inadequate nutrition in the form of rice, rice water, sweetened condensed milk, and occasional watermelon, which did not meet his nutritional needs. The orangutan was kept in a small bamboo cage, measuring approximately 1 x 1 x 1 m, resembling a chicken coop. The owner’s motivation for keeping Rayo was solely because the orangutan was abandoned without a mother to care for him.
Upon receiving information and an appeal regarding the protection of wild animals and the laws governing their protection, the owner, with the help of other locals, reported the finding to the authorities. This rescue action was a crucial step in supporting wildlife conservation, especially for orangutans, and aimed to raise awareness about environmental and wildlife protection within society.
Currently, at the Sintang Quarantine Center, Rayo, now known as Piet, shares his living space with two other recently rescued baby orangutans, Annette and Junet, both female. Despite being in close proximity, Piet continues to display a solitary temperament, showing little interest in interacting with the other babies and often spends his time on top of the canopy of octagonal cage. On September 10, 2023, Piet, along with Annette and Junet, transitioned to octagonal cages, allowing them to acclimate to a more spacious and enriched environment. Annette, in contrast, shows a keen interest in interacting with Piet, often following him around and attempting to engage, while Piet remains indifferent, allowing her to initiate interactions as she pleases.
Piet’s condition today is slowly getting better, thanks to the dedicated staff at the Sintang Quarantine Center. The staff provides Piet with various nutrients and vitamins to boost his recovery. Additionally, deworming treatments have been administered to Piet to address his worm infestation, aiding in his overall health and well-being. Piet’s journey at the Sintang Quarantine Center continues under the care and guidance of the staff, with ongoing efforts to monitor and understand his behavior, providing the necessary support for his rehabilitation and eventual hopeful return to the wild.
Pictures – Our team rescuing Piet
Pictures – Piet in octagonal cage along with his new friends
Leave a Reply