Orangutans found in cages on Phuket to return to Indonesia

Thailand will return 14 orangutans to Indonesia five years after they were found in cages on the side of the road in Phuket.

Authorities found 13 Sumatran orangutans in Phuket in 2010, apparently bound for a private zoo.

The 13 orangutans were held in Khao Pra Thab Chang wildlife breeding centre in Ratchaburi province, where they bred one more orangutan.

Indonesia submitted a letter this month to request their return and agreed to pay for the transportation of the orangutans.

A C-130 Hercules transport aircraft will fly to Thailand to pick up the orangutans on Sept 7, reported the Bangkok Post.

Orangutans are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and there are just over 7,000 Sumatran orangutans left.

Photo: Lip Kee



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