PUBLISHED : 23 Dec 2025 at 06:03
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The four orangutans (photo supplied)
Thailand and Indonesia have finalised preparations to return four orangutans to their native habitat, following joint work under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), in collaboration with the Embassy of Indonesia, has completed final health checks and readiness assessments of the great apes ahead of the transfer.
Sadudee Phanphakdee, director of the Cites Wildlife and Plant Protection Division under the DNP, welcomed a delegation from Indonesia led by Fuad Adriansyah, deputy ambassador to Thailand, along with representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, at Wildlife Rescue Centre 3 in Ratchaburi.
The visit was aimed at observing and finalising preparations for the orangutans’ return.
Indonesian veterinarians conducted thorough health evaluations of the four animals, prioritising welfare and minimising stress during transport.
Based on their assessment, the orangutans will be placed in three transport cages: two adult males housed separately, and two young females placed together to reduce anxiety.
The repatriation schedule began on Monday, when the orangutans were introduced to transport cages for acclimatisation.
On Tuesday, they will be moved from the rescue centre to Suvarnabhumi Airport to board Garuda Indonesia flight GA867 bound for Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
Officials said the repatriation reflects strong cooperation between Thailand and Indonesia to move forward with wildlife conservation efforts.
The aim is to ensure endangered species are returned to their natural habitats in line with international standards, they added.