24 Long-Tailed Macaques Rehabilitated and Released in Sumatra, Indonesia
Rescued from the illegal pet trade in Indonesia, these macaques have now been successfully released into the mangrove forests of the Berbak National Park and Sembilang National Park after years of rehabilitation at the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) Sumatra Wildlife Center.
Rescue and Early Care
In 2021, JAAN’s K9 Wildlife Detection Program intercepted a shipment of young long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) destined for the illegal pet trade. Over time, additional rescues followed, eventually bringing a total of 24 individuals into their care.
Raising young macaques is incredibly demanding. The team provided milk every four hours, from early morning until evening, ensuring each animal received the nutrition needed for healthy development. As the group grew, they were moved into larger enclosures enriched with natural climbing structures, tree trunks and branches designed to reignite their wild instincts for climbing, foraging, and social interaction.
Rehabilitation
Once in the larger enclosures, caregivers monitored the group daily, carefully watching for signs of conflict or poor adjustment. Any individual showing stress or aggression was temporarily separated and gradually reintroduced to the group.
Most of their food came directly from the center’s own garden. Their diet consisted mainly of fruit, supplemented with vegetables and foraged leaves on a rotating schedule, always fresh and always cleaned before feeding.
Site Selection
As the macaques matured, JAAN worked closely with the Balai Konservasi Sumberdaya Alam (BKSDA) to identify a suitable release site. In January 2026, a joint team of biologists, caregivers, BKSDA staff, and park rangers conducted field surveys at three locations within Berbak and Sembilang National Parks in South Sumatra: Alanggantang Island, the Bogem River, and the Barong River.
Alanggantang Island was ultimately selected due to its rich natural vegetation, abundant food and water sources, minimal human disturbance, and overall ideal conditions for a successful release.
Advance Team & Acclimatization Enclosure
On February 10, 2026, an advance team was deployed to the island, five days prior to the official release. Over four days, they constructed an acclimatization enclosure using mesh and natural materials, stocked with fruit, vegetables, and clean water to support the macaques during their initial adjustment to the new environment.
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With love,
Ilona 🫶🏼🐒