Following the up listing of
long-tailed macaque from Vulnerable to Endangered species, the people in Medan
started to realise that this species has become Endangered globally. Realising
that, a macaque lover woman voluntary surrendered her her couple of macaques to the Wildlife Authority
(BBKSDA-SU).
Two forestry police officers
took the macaques from the owner's home in Titi Kuning, Medan. At the same day, in the afternoon, the
BBKSDA-SU delivered these animals to Scorpion Indonesia Foundation office in
Medan.
As the animals had been kept as
a pet for more than a year, they can not
be immediately released in the wild. They must follow medical check up, health screening,
and training at the Scorpion Macaque Rescue Center in Pulo Lubang hamlet of Hapesong Baru village, Batang
Toru subdistrict, South Tapanuli. They will be under the care of medical team of Scorpion in the Rescue Center for a maximum of 90 days before they can be returned to
their wild habitat.
The two animals are named Meimei and Choco respectively.
The Executive Director of the Scorpion Foundation, Ali Bangun Gea, appealed to people in North Sumatra province to avoid keeping long-tailed macaques because this animal is now on the Red List of endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
Meimei
the last hug from owner Meimei just before this animal was taken to the BBKSDA-SU office for medical treatment so that one day it could be released into the wild.
The last hug for Choco.
When she was a pet Meimei was dressed with human cloth.
Signing of voluntary hand-over of the macaque couple to forestry police officers.
Meimei and Choco arriving at Scorpion Indonesia office in Medan.
