Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia (SBI) together with South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) release a male proboscis monkey in Bakut Island, Barito Kuala, Saturday (2/4).
"Previously the proboscis monkey (known here as bekantan) was handed over by Ahmad Sadikin, a forest ranger of Barito Kuala Environment and Forestry Agency, to us," said SBI Chairman Amalia Rezeki here on Monday.
The adult male proboscis monkey, believed to be aged seven years, according to residents was found drifting in the Barito River once carried away by a coal barge.
"A helmsman of river crossing boat rescued and put the bekantan in the Marabahan town dock," said Amalia quoting Ahmad Sadikin.
The proboscis was exhausted after a hard swimming in the river and suffered severe trauma, then BKSDA entrust SBI to check its health and treat it before releasing it back to the wild.
"We greatly appreciate the efforts of Marabahan citizens to save bekantan and submit it to SBI," said Amalia again.
After going through medical examinations and given of antibiotics to minor injuries sustained as well as multivitamin to restore its stamina, then BKSDA requested SBI to immediately release the bekantan in the Bakut Island.
According to Amalia, who is also a lecturer at the University of Lambung Mangkurat and recipient of She Can Award in 2015 as the Women Inspiring Indonesia in Environment Categories Rescuing Bekantan, the endangered monkey rescued by the citizens might be to migrate because of its habitat damaged by forest fires and land conversion that food began to scarce.
Throughout 2015 and until now has been about 19 times the Rescue Team of SBI evacuated proboscis monkeys. 11 of them have been released, while five being treated and three others can not be saved due to burns are quite serious.
edited by mahdani
