Image: Inside Edition via YouTube
Conservation workers recently rescued an extremely rare albino orangutan from a village on the island of Borneo, where it was being held captive by locals. Now, officials are asking the public to help name the animal to raise awareness about the species.
The animal was rescued by the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation, which rehabilitates primates and releases them back into the wild. This is the first albino orangutan the organization has encountered in its 25-year history.
“It is very rare to find an albino orangutan, and considering the significant conservation challenges wild orangutans face, we want that to be recognized in her name,” said Dr. Jamartin Sihite, BOS Foundation CEO.
Image: Inside Edition via YouTube
In addition to its pale skin and hair, the animal’s eyes are extremely sensitive to light, which is a known sign of albinism. In a statement, the rescuers say she arrived in “frail condition” and was “lacking a healthy appetite,” which is common for rescued orangutans.
She is being kept in a dimly-lit area and will receive round the clock support until she is able to return to the wild. The BOS Foundation believes there may be more albino individuals in Borneo since the trait is hereditary.
Orangutans are currently found only in Borneo and Sumatra. Bornean orangutans are listed as critically endangered on The International Union for Conservation Red List, due to hunting and the destruction of their habitat. They estimate that the population will have declined by 86% from 1973 to 2025.
