Sumatran Orang Utan Reintroduction Program

The Sumatran Orang Utan Reintroduction Program is located in the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park buffer zone, specifically in Suo-suo village, Sumai Sub-District, Tebo District, Jambi Province. This program was launched under considerations that:

• The Sumatran wild Orang Utan population is suffering a decline because of wildlife trade that is still ongoing.
  
• There is a need to build a Rehabilitation Center or Adaptation Station to release Orang Utan confiscated from poacher.
  

The purpose of Sumatran Orang Utan Reintroduction Program is to:

• Look for and determine a suitable location for the Orang Utan Rehabilitation or Adaptation Station establishment based on appropriate surveys.
  
• Establish a Rehabilitation Center and equip it with basic equipment.
  
• Build capacity for Ministry of Forestry institutions in support of Orang Utan conservation.
  
• Increase awareness about the importance of Orang Utan among local communities.
  
• Set up coordination and partnership with government as well as local institutions, NGOs, research institutions and universities at national and international levels.
  

The poject site is base the production forest of PT Dalek Hutani Esa concession area, 2 km from the National Park bordering area. The camp is 2 ha and the adaptation area is 200 ha which is currently being expanded to become 500 ha.

The Bukit Tigapuluh National Park has been selected as a suitable place for the program with some considerations based on several aspects:

Conservation aspect

Orang Utan is the largest arboreal primate. Their home range in primary forest covers over 600 ha. They are referred to as an Umbrella Species, offering follow-on protection to many other rare and endangered species. Ecologically, Orang Utan populations tend to increase biodiversity and available habitat for other species. Habitat where Orang Utan survive in viable numbers is considered to be a healthy ecosystem. That is why they are regarded as being a species and ecosystem indicator. Even natural forest areas outside protection forests can be a habitat for Orang Utan provided that they are managed with sound conservation-based management.

Tourism Aspect

Communities in the surrounding station and local government would enjoy the benefit of the program through their participation in ecotourism development.

Facilities in the rehabilitation center/station include an Orang Utan clinic, quarantine station, adaptation station, isolation cage, food storage, office and dormitory, security house, small roads, laboratory, vehicles of many kinds.

Progress that has been made:

• A plan for expansion of the adaptation area, from 200 ha to 500 ha in the production forest of PT Dalek Hutani Esa approved by the District Head of Tebo and the Jambi Governor.
  
• Some 15 Orang Utan are in the process of reintroduction. Of the number, 13 Orang Utan have been released to the adaptation area, while the 2 remaining Orang Utan are still in the isolation cage.
  
• Community participation efforts resulted in the communities willing to sell fruits from their gardens to the program at the market price as food supply for Orang Utan.
  

To facilitate monitoring Orang Utan in the adaptation area, the program has constructed small paths in a web-like pattern, some 20 km long, tagged at regular intervals. Thus, the location and how far Orang Utan cover each day can be measured and constantly assessed.