Orangutan Quarantine at the Care Center

In late 1998, the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) established the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) facility in the village of Pasir Panjang, near the town of Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan. This is near Tanjung Puting National Park, home of the world famous Camp Leakey, established in 1971 by Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas.The OCCQ was created for confiscated ex-captive orangutans needing medical and other care in preparation for release into the wild. The OCCQ is a joint program of OFI and the Indonesian Forestry Department.

The OCCQ is currently staffed by full-time Indonesian veterinarians with a local medical doctor on call. The Center currently employs over 130 local staff and takes care of 340 orangutan orphans, all of whom eventually will be released into the wild. OCCQ’s current facilities include an operating room, X-ray room, medical laboratory, library, living quarters for veterinary staff as well as a separate quarantine complex.

Dr. Rosa M. Garriga with Jutot, a 2-year orangutan. Dr. Garriga was the first full time veterinarian at the Care Center

The OCCQ is located within 80 hectares of relict primary peatswamp forest where many of the orangutan orphans are released daily.  This forest provides a type of “halfway house” where orphans can learn locomotory and nest-building skills as well as foraging techniques.  Within the forest are small wooden facilities that allow some of the orangutans and their caregivers to sleep in the forest at night.

The OCCQ enables Indonesian wildlife officers, police, OFI staff and concerned individuals to bring confiscated, sick and injured orangutans (including wild orangutans) to a facility in Central Kalimantan capable of providing a very high standard of medical care.

Baby orangutan gets a health check up.

Baby Lear soon after arrival at the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ).