Sorry for the long period of inactivity! Hudi, our Programme Co-ordinator in Indonesia sent through this short story about a sunbear and a pig-tailed Macaque.
Belle, the sunbear © Orangutan Foundation
Saturday 13th of March 2010 was a special day for “Belle” a young female sunbear (Helarctos malayanus) and also for one pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina). After medical observation by Dr Fiqri (our Vet) and Tigor (our Reintroduction Manager ), Pak Eko Novi, the head of section II of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency of Central Kalimantan (BKSDA SKW II Kalimantan Tengah) gave permission for both to be trans-located to the Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve.
Sunbear and pig-tailed macaque going up river into the reserve © Orangutan Foundation
Carrying the cage out of the boat. © Orangutan Foundation
Belle, about to be released. © Orangutan Foundation
The trans-location process went very smoothly. When the cage door was open by Pak Eko Novi the sunbear just walked out directly into the forest, she did not look back at us, unlike “Bruno”, the young male sun-bear, who we translocated a few months ago. He gave a surprise for all the people who trans-located him!
Straight out! © Orangutan Foundation
Back to the forest -wild and free! © Orangutan Foundation
Within a few minutes Belle had disappeared into the forest. However, we did have a surprise from the pig-tail macaque. A few minutes after the release the macaque came back to the longboat and then jumped into the water, swam across the river and then played on the opposite side of the river bank!
The pig-tailed macaque decided it wanted to be on the otherside of the river and why not? © Orangutan Foundation
Good to be back home! © Orangutan Foundation
Huge thanks to all of our dedicated staff and to our partners, who we work with in and around the reserve.
Please consider a donation towards our Protect Me and My Tree Appeal - raising vital funds for the Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve.
Thank you!
