The “drugged” Indonesian
orangutan baby in Kuwait has not been returned to Indonesia due to slow
administrative process in Kuwait. Director of Biodiversity Conservation at the Ministry
of Environment and Forestry, Bambang Dahono Adji, told this to Scorpion
Foundation today, Wednesday (23/11/2016).
He said, the Ministry of Environment
and Forestry has been in contact with BOS Foundation for possible return of this
orangutan to Borneo as it is a Bornean orangutan.
CEO of BOS Foundation, Dr. Jamartin Sihite confirmed to Scorpion Foundation today that BOS is ready to receive this
orangutan baby to start reintroduction process. “We are ready to accept this
orangutan in our rescue centre. It is still very young and can be released back
in the wild,” Dr. Jamartin said.
Speaking anonymously, another
orangutan conservation officer in Borneo told Scorpion that the process of returning
this orangutan baby from Kuwait to Indonesia is too slow. “It has been six
months since Kuwait government asked Indonesia to return this orangutan back to
Indonesia. With such a slow process, I think it is fair to question seriousness
of the government in returning this orangutan
back to Indonesia,” he said.
The Arab online media www.arabtimesonline.com reported in July
this year that the baby orangutan is on the verge of being deported after it
was caught under narcotic influence. It has been referred to the Kuwait Zoo in
preparation for deportation, reports Al- Rai daily quoting sources from the
Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR).
Revealing that the orangutan was
referred to PAAAFR by Ministry of Interior, the sources explained that its
owner was arrested following a traffic accident two months ago after he and his
pet baby orangutan appeared under the influence of drugs. The owner, who was
referred to the General Department of Drug Control, admitted that he used to
share drugs with his pet for fun.
PAAAFR kept the orangutan in its
custody for some time before sending it to the zoo.
Reportedly, PAAAFR has contacted
the Embassy of Indonesia and has requested to send the orangutan to Indonesia
because it is the place of origin of the orangutan and is considered as one of
the animals under the threat of extinction.
The sources insisted the
orangutan should be sent to its natural habitat in accordance with the
provisions of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species, which aims to ensure the survival of animals and plants. They affirmed
that the one-year old baby orangutan is receiving full care at the zoo, adding
that its mood keeps changing due to its addiction to drugs.
Photo: from www.arabtimesonline.com
