Identification and early analysis of health hazards in orangutan (Pongo spp.) conservation in Indonesia

Abstract

The orangutan (Pongo spp.) populations in Indonesia face many challenges, including diseases and other hazards that may compromise their health and viability. Across Sumatra and Borneo islands, with the unique localities, challenges, and opportunities, orangutan health management practices could look somewhat different between locations and institutions. The Orangutan Health Risk Analysis (Analisa Risiko Kesehatan Orangutan/ARKO in Indonesian language) is a unique attempt to build an orangutan health management strategy within the scope of rescue, rehabilitation, sanctuary, reintroduction, and post-reintroduction monitoring activities, that are integrated among all stakeholders in orangutan conservation. ARKO was conducted as a series of workshop that followed standard steps in wildlife disease risk analysis and involved nation-wide stakeholders with different expertise and roles. The result of ARKO is a document that transparently recorded the process of gathering stakeholders, defining the scope and context of orangutan health management, and followed with a series of steps on risk identification, assessment, analysis, and management of health hazards in orangutans. In addition to being provided as a full report document, ARKO is also presented in a website platform for ease of access and update. This short communication highlights two of the most important outcomes from ARKO; the comprehensive list of health hazards in orangutans and an early risk analysis of the prioritized hazards. ARKO serves as an example of an initiative to build a collaborative practice in wildlife conservation and health management.