APE GUARDIANS RAN FRANTICALLY
Monitoring or observing orangutan activities after the release of Untung and Unyil this time, really made the team almost gave up. These two orangutans have made the monitoring team run in chaos. We call this team the APE Guardian team.
When the release, APE Guardian team for Untung first informed us that Untung’s cage had been opened. Only 420 meters away, the APE Guardian for Unyil team gave a signal, Unyil’s cage was ready to be opened. As predicted earlier, both Untung and Unyil ran towards the tree and climbed it. But not long after that, Untung climbed down and began chasing. As soon as possible, the monitoring team and even the transporting cage carriers ran away from Untung.
“It’s normal for orangutans who have undergone the rehabilitation process to still follow humans. They only need to go through adaptation again in a new environment, where humans are no longer friends, but something they must avoid. “, Said Reza Kurniawan, a primatologist at the Center for Orangutan Protection.
The APE Guardian team worked hard to avoid Untung and Unyil. Including jumping into a creek with depths of more than 1 meter. Of course they hoped that these two orangutans would be reluctant to chase. “Damn, they are not afraid of water,” said Yusak, one of the rangers.
Already soaked in the creek, still we have to run because of being chased by orangutans. The sky began to darken, Untung and Unyil seemed tired of playing chases. Unyil climbed into the tree and soon no visible movement from him, but Untung was still playing on the ground even though he was no longer chasing. “Monitoring these two orangutans is really physical draining.” (EBO)
APE GUARDIAN LARI KALANG KABUT
Monitoring atau kegiatan memantau orangutan setelah pelepasliaran orangutan Untung dan Unyil kali ini, benar-benar membuat tim nyaris angkat tangan. Kedua orangutan ini membuat tim patroli kalang kabut berlarian. Kami menyebut tim ini sebagai tim APE Guardian.
Tim APE Guardian orangutan Untung terlebih dahulu menginformasikan, kandang Untung telah dibuka. Hanya berjarak 420 meter, tim APE Guardian orangutan Unyil memberi aba-aba, kandang Unyil siap dibuka. Seperti prediksi sebelumnya, baik Untung maupun Unyil berlari menuju pohon dan memanjatnya. Tapi tak berapa lama kemudian, Untung turun dan mulai mengejar. Secepatnya, tim monitoring bahkan tukang pikul kandang angkut lari terbirit-birit untuk menghindari kejaran Untung.
“Ini hal yang biasa bagi individu orangutan yang telah menjalani proses rehabilitasi masih terlihat mengikuti manusia. Mereka hanya perlu melalui adaptasi lagi di lingkungan yang baru, dimana manusia bukanlah teman lagi, tapi adalah sesuatu yang harus dihindarinya.”, ujar Reza Kurniawan, primatologis Centre for Orangutan Protection.
Tim APE Guardian bekerja keras untuk mengurangi intesitas kejaran Untung maupun Unyil. Salah satunya dengan menyeburkan diri di anak sungai yang kedalamannya lebih dari 1 meter. Tentu saja harapannya agar kedua orangutan rehabilitasi ini enggan mengejar. “Sial, mereka tidak takut air.”, ujar Yusak salah satu ranger.
Sudah basah kuyup karena monitoring orangutan sambil berendam di anak sungai masih saja harus berlari karena dikejar orangutan. Langit mulai gelap, Untung dan Unyil namaknya sudah bosan bermain kejar-kejaran. Unyil naik ke pohon dan mulai tidak ada pergerakan, namun Untung masih bermain di tanah meski tak lagi mengejar. “Monitoring kedua orangutan ini sungguh menguras fisik.”. (WID)
