Rehabilitated 20-year-old orangutan released back at Tabin in Lahad Datu
TABIN: Tiger, the adult male orangutan that arrived in Sepilok, Sandakan when he was two years old and has remained for 18 years, is now back in Lahad Datu.
According to a joint statement by Sabah Wildlife Department and UK-based charity, Orangutan Appeal UK, the effort to translocate the 20-year-old orangutan has been a success.
Orangutan Appeal UK founder and chairperson Sue Sheward said the teams from the Sabah Wildlife Department, the Wildlife Rescue Unit and the Orangutan Appeal UK pooled their resources to make the effort a success.
“With the assistance of good friends within Sabah and the UK, another magnificent orangutan is saved,” said Sue.
Meanwhile, SWD director Augustine Tuuga said Tiger came to Sepilok as an orphan. He was then only two years old.
While at Sepilok, he underwent years of rehabilitation process and prior to the translocation, has been living independently within the forest reserve.
Augustine said Tiger originated from Lahad Datu and was translocated to the Tabin Wildlife Reserve's core area.
The area's size is 1,200 sq km and is considered an ideal place for his release.
“The area is large enough for him to comfortably forage in,” said Augustine.
SWD also thanked the NGO for funding the operation which costs over RM50,000 as well as to the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.