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New orangutan rescue center inaugurated in North Sumatra
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A Sumatran orangutan hangs from a tree branch at the Soraya research station in the Leuser Ecosystem Zone (KEL) in Aceh, on June 20, 2020. (Antara/Syifa Yulinnas)
T
he Environment and Forestry Ministry inaugurated on Thursday a rescue center that will house orangutans rescued from attempted wildlife smuggling, in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.
Converted from an old oil palm plantation, the 10-hectare Sumatran Rescue Alliance (SRA) was established as part of a collaboration between North Sumatra and Aceh provinces’ Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) as well as the Orangutan Information Center, an NGO based in Medan, North Sumatra.
It is now home to two orangutans, as well as four agile gibbons, one lar gibbon, 14 siamangs and one sun bear — all protected species.
Deputy Environment and Forestry Minister Alue Dohong said the SRA was established to help protect endangered species and nature, adding that one slight disruption in the ecosystem could lead to conflicts between humans and animals.
“It is the responsibility of humans to protect nature and the environment. Nature and everything in it was not created by God only for humans, but also for other creatures that must be protected,” Alue said during the SRA's inauguration ceremony on Thursday.
Alue added that animal conservation efforts should not be a unilateral initiative, noting the importance of collaboration between stakeholders.
“All stakeholders should be able to collaborate, share knowledge and resources so that together we can improve efforts to save the animals."
