Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — An orangutan was reportedly electrocuted after climbing high-voltage power lines along the Tjilik Riwut National Road, in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan. The incident highlight the impact of habitat loss on wildlife, as more animals are seen entering settlements.
Recently, A video of the orangutan hanging on the power lines went viral on social media. Before the tragic incident, the primate had wandered into a residential area. The orangutan was climbed a Ketapang tree, and then made its way onto the electrical cables.
Footage showed the endangered animal moving along the power lines as residents watched. Before rescue efforts could be initiated, the cable the orangutan was holding onto short-circuited, sparking flashes of electricity and loud explosions, causing the animal to fall.
“According to local residents, the orangutan was hanging from high-voltage power lines, attracting attention from both the community and passing motorists,” said Nandang, an ecosystem control officer from the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), in Palangka Raya last Friday, as reported by Antara.
Ahmad Zainor, a motorist who witnessed the event, stated that the orangutan had been roaming the area, climbing the Ketapang tree and walking along the power lines for about 30 minutes before it was electrocuted and fell.
Rescue Attempt
Upon receiving reports, a team from the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) Nyaru Menteng and BKSDA Central Kalimantan rushed to the scene. A veterinarian from BOSF immediately examined the orangutan.
Unfortunately, the animal, a protected species, suffered a fatal electric shock. BKSDA officials quickly evacuated the critically injured orangutan and transported it to BOSF for medical treatment.
However, BOSF veterinarians confirmed that the orangutan had already gone into cardiac arrest due to the high-voltage electrocution.
“Sadly, we were unable to save it. The orangutan was pronounced dead. We will conduct a necropsy to determine further details,” said Junaedy, Head of Section I at BKSDA Central Kalimantan, as reported by Tribunnews.
The male orangutan was estimated to be around 14 years old. Authorities have yet to determine its origin, as no local residents had reported keeping the animal in captivity.
Loss of Habitat
The orangutan’s appearance in a residential area is believed to be linked to habitat loss. Deforestation and land encroachment have increasingly forced wildlife out of their natural environments and into human-populated areas.
This incident on Tjilik Riwut road serves as a stark reminder of the environmental challenges faced by Indonesia’s wildlife. The BKSDA has urged residents to immediately report sightings of wild animals in residential areas to prevent similar tragedies.
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The electrocution of this orangutan adds to a growing list of wildlife fatalities caused by interactions with human-made environments. Conservation organizations continue to emphasize the importance of protecting orangutans and their habitats to ensure their survival.
This tragedy serves as a wake-up call for all stakeholders regarding the need for stronger wildlife protection measures. Collaboration between the government, conservation groups, and local communities is essential to preserving endangered species like the orangutan and ensuring their continued existence in the wild.
(Raidi/Agung)
