We and the BKSDA Aceh, the nature conservation authority in Banda Aceh, got the information from YEL-SOCP Rapid Response Unit Team: in a village in the West Aceh district of Sumatra, a villager took home an orangutan that he had found in a field with its hands tied. After only a short period, the man realised that he was not up to the demanding task of keeping an orangutan and he contacted the local nature conservation authorities. The officials informed our quarantine and rehabilitation centre, and together with our medically trained rescue team, we brought the injured orangutan to the centre shortly afterwards. Fortunately, after the initial examination, it turned out that the female orangutan was generally in good health, and she did not show any signs of disease. During the rehabilitation phase, her health is closely monitored by our veterinarians. We are doing everything necessary to be able release the female as soon as possible into her natural habitat, the rainforest.

A typical case

This story, which took place in June 2025, is a typical case. Our partner foundation YEL has an agreement with the Indonesian government that all confiscated Sumatran orangutans are to be brought to our quarantine and rehabilitation centre. There, we can give the animals optimal care and treat the often injured and traumatised animals until they are ready to be released back into the wild.