Orangutan Rehabilitation in Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesia

Abstract

into appropriate habitat. The advantages of rehabilitation as a captive management tool include (1) providing demographic and genetic reservoirs from which new populations may be founded or genetic diversity can be increased and (2) reducing the threat of extinction of species in the wild, for example, Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) (Stanley Price 1989), Mauritius Kestrels (Falco punctatus) (Cade & Jones 1993), and Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) (Barclay & Cade 1983). Individuals from these species have, upon release, engaged in species-appropriate behaviors and successfully reproduced and reared offspring. Rehabilitation programs involving non-human primates have met with mixed success. Golden-lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) in Brazil are probably the best example of moderate success. Some tamarins have been successfully rehabilitated; however, even this project has had over 50% mortality and has cost hundreds of thousands of dollars (Kleiman et al. 1986). Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at Rubondo Island are doing quite well; they are completely independent of human intervention and have successfully reproduced. However, some formerly captive chimpanzees released in Africa are still dependent upon -daily feedings, despite several years investment in actively training the animals in nest-building, predator avoidance, and food seeking behavior (Hannah & McGrew 1991). This is at least partly due to inadequate habitat. The major question is why is rehabilitation apparently