Orangutans, saved from fire, return to freedom

Young orangutans

February 11, 1998
Web posted at: 4:13 p.m. EST (2113 GMT) From Correspondent Donn Cost

EAST KALIMANTAN, Indonesia (CNN) -- Before 33 orangutans can get their freedom back, they must first go back into cages.

The orangutans, most of whom were forced to leave their homes in the Indonesian forest last year because of fire, are now being released back into the wild on the island of Borneo.

To begin their journey back to the wild, the orangutans are sedated, put on a cot, placed in a cage and put on a truck for a five-hour trip into the mountains. From there, it's only a helicopter ride into the heart of the forest.

The journey from fire to freedom
	2.7MB / 32 sec. / 320x240 1.1MB / 32 sec. / 160x120 QuickTime movie

The Borneo forest is supposed to be ideal for the orangutans because of its vegetation and isolation from humans.

"That combination of factors make this area very suitable to release orangutans. Another advantage is that for 30 kilometers around here, there is not a living soul," said Willie Smit of the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. "This is completely empty forest terrain. And if there are no people, there are no sources of fire, so it's very safe."

Workers load orangutans to be released into the wild

Once the orangutans reach the forest, authorities keep them in an enclosed area for two days so that they can get used to being in the wild again.

After that, they're back in familiar territory and on their own once again.

Related stories:

• Fires, drought in Indonesia threaten orangutans - October 21, 1997

Related sites:

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• Indonesia Times Online
• Indonesia Environmental Impact Management Agency
• Orang Utan Page
• Orangutan Foundation International

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

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