Bangkok, December 23 (AseanAll)  — Indonesia and Thailand have reaffirmed their joint commitment to protecting biodiversity through the repatriation of four orangutans, Bow, Noon, Jay, and Raiking (Tua Yai), from Thailand to Indonesia on December 23, 2025. This repatriation is an important milestone in the two countries' wildlife conservation cooperation and part of the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Thailand, which has now been upgraded to a Strategic Partnership.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand, Rachmat Budiman, emphasized that this repatriation has a meaning that goes far beyond returning animals to their natural habitat.

“The repatriation of Bow, Noon, Jay, and Raiking is not merely a return of orangutans to their homeland, but also reflects the strong friendship between Indonesia and Thailand, as well as a shared commitment to strengthening efforts to prevent illegal wildlife trade directly at the source of the problem,” said Ambassador Rachmat Budiman.

The four orangutans will undergo rehabilitation at the Sumatran Rescue Alliance Orangutan Rehabilitation and Rescue Center in North Sumatra before being released into their natural habitat. In accordance with Indonesian government policy, orangutans can only be released after reaching a minimum age of six years and being assessed as capable of living independently in the wild.

Conservation cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand has been consistently established for nearly two decades. Since 2006, Thailand has facilitated the repatriation of 78 orangutans to Indonesia, most of which have been successfully rehabilitated and released into the wild. Even amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation continued with the repatriation of Ung Aing, Natalie, and Giant in 2020, as well as Nobita, Shisuka, and Brian in 2023.

Today's repatriation also reflects close inter-institutional coordination and has received special attention from Thai Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul. This process is a follow-up to the commitments agreed upon at the Indonesia–Thailand Joint Commission Meeting (May 2025) and the Indonesia–Thailand Security Dialogue (July 2025).

The Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok expressed its appreciation to all parties who contributed, including the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Customs Department, the Royal Thai Police, the Khao Pratubchang Wildlife Rescue Center, and THAI Cargo. Appreciation was also expressed to partners in Indonesia, namely the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Sumatran Rescue Alliance, the Center for Orangutan Protection, and Garuda Indonesia.

Upon arrival in Indonesia, Bow, Noon, Jay, and Raiking will be received by the relevant authorities and receive professional care at a rehabilitation center in North Sumatra. It is hoped that the four will grow up healthy and, in time, return to live freely in their natural habitat.