Indonesian Conservation Media Center

Press Release : DEATH OF ORANGUTAN AT SOLO ANIMAL PARK COULD BE PREVENTED

For immediate realease.

Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) deplores the death of a Borneo Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) located at Taru Jurug Solo Animal Park. Supposedly, these deaths could be prevented if Weni Ekayanti, Head of Department of Agriculture and Livestock Municipality of Solo as a member of the management team willing to cooperate with the parties who want to help.

In April 2009, the Centre for Orangutan Protection conducts research on the condition of five orangutans at the zoo on Java. The result, Taru Jurug Wildlife Park is the worst zoo. Orangutans are not maintained properly and this has resulted in physical and psychological suffering. In particular, two orangutans there already showing signs - signs of mental disorders (mad) because of prolonged severe stress.

"The situation is very critical there. Male orangutan named Toni placed in a cement-floored encosure. There is no drinking water and also the equipment for a play that can divert the orangutan from boredom. The visitors could freely give food, cigarettes and the harm to orangutans. While female orangutan named Tina is placed in a tunnel connecting the narrow enclosure, the maximum is only 1 x 2 meters. This is far worse. Tina orangutans can not move to anywhere, including access to basic needs such as drinking water and food, "

"The situation is very critical there. Male orangutan named Toni placed in a cement-floored encosure. There is no drinking water and also the equipment for a play that can divert the orangutan from boredom. The visitors could freely give food, cigarettes and the harm to orangutans. While female orangutan named Tina is placed in a tunnel connecting the narrow enclosure, the maximum is only 1 x 2 meters. This is far worse. Tina orangutans can not move to anywhere, including access to basic needs such as drinking water and food, "

"Poor conditions like this that causes them to become stressed. The researchers found that orangutans named Toni brings back food that was eaten and then eat it again. It is done over and over - again. Toni also like cigarettes provided by the visitor. This is a serious threat to the health of orangutans . In the meantime, Tina orangutans banging his head against the wall. Basically, the symptoms of mental disorder in orangutans could say exactly the same as humans because humans and orangutans are biologically grouped into one group called primates. Orangutans also have similar DNA to humans, namely 97 , 3%, "Seto said Wibowo, Captivity Program Coordinator of the Centre for Orangutan Protection.

The study was conducted to observe orangutans for 30 000 seconds, with details on the morning of 10 000 seconds, 10.000 seconds at noon today and 10.000 seconds in the afternoon. Total of three days. Research standards used comes from the World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA). Researchers are also accompanied by a photographer and videographer. Unfortunately, researchers did not obtain any information about the age of two orangutans must Taru Jurug Wildlife Park, because there was no record of any of the story. Including his medical records. Centre for Orangutan Protection estimates that the orangutan named Toni aged over 15 years, while Tina is more than 6 years old. However, due to the heavy malnutris, the second appearance of the orangutans seem smaller and weaker than normal orangutans.

Centre for Orangutan Protection has submitted the results of these studies to the regional governments are also intensively Solo and communicate efforts - efforts to improve conditions. Currently, Taru Jurug Wildlife Park is managed jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works, Department of Tourism, Department of City Planning and three Assistant for Economic Affairs Office of the Mayor of Solo. Centre for Orangutan Protection has offered a variety of options including a commitment to help funding.

Here are the options - the options are:

1. Improving the enclosure. During the repairs, the orangutan is deposited in Yogyakarta Wildlife Rescue Center.
2. Orangutans move to the island in the middle - the middle of the lake located in Taru Jurug Animal Park. This is the best option because the island had a tree big enough for orangutan can live like normal wild orangutans.

All of the options rejected by the Head of Department of Agriculture, although the other parties generally agree, including the Natural Resources Conservation Center of Central Java. Now, only one orangutan survive in Taru Jurug Animal Park and could die at any time – due to poor treatment.

For more information please contact:
Seto Wibowo, Captivity COP Coordinator Program.
Email: seto.wibowo@cop.or.id
Mobile: 628121156911

Hardi Baktiantoro, COP Principal
Email: hardi.baktiantoro@cop.or.id
Mobile: 628121145911

For pictures, please contact:
Hery Susanto, COP Photo Desk
Email: hery@cop.or.id
Mobile: 628121147911

picture captions:
FIN_3272.JPG = Food everyday for Toni and Tina is a lunch pack. Only rice, without any side dish.
FIN_3014.JPG = Tina in the hall measuring 1x2 meters. This little orangutan through his days in narrow cages like this.
FIN_3096.JPG = Tina tried cigarettes provided by visitors to the Solo zoo.
FIN_3000.JPG = Garbage piled up in a cage, bedding for the orangutan.