Stranded wild orangutan rescued

Upon receiving a call for assistance from a village within the Lahad Datu region, Orangutan Appeal UK in conjunction with Sabah Wildlife Department, was dispatched to monitor an orangutan that had become stranded in a fruit orchard. It was reported the orangutan had been there for nearly three weeks.

The team surveyed the area and found multiple nest, some some freshly built and others at least two weeks old, confirming that the orangutan had been present for an extended period. The orchard was surrounded by palm oil plantations, with the nearest forest a significant distance away. Given the length of time the orangutan had been there and the lack of a clear route back to suitable habitat, it was evident that he had become disoriented and stranded, with little chance of finding his way back to the forest unaided.

Moving an orangutan from one location to another is only ever done as a last resort and when their safety is at risk. Prolonged proximity to humans was increasing the likelihood of conflict. Without intervention, the orangutan would have struggled to find enough food once the fruiting trees were depleted.

After careful consideration, the decision was made to translocate the orangutan to a more suitable forested area., where he would have access to natural food sources and a safe environment.

Cases like this highlight the growing challenges orangutans face as their natural habitats continue to shrink. While translocations can help individual orangutans in the short term, the ultimate goal is to protect their habitat and promote coexistence between orangutans and local communities, ensuring a future where both can thrive.