Return to the wild: 10 endangered primates are flown more than 7,000 MILES from Kent to their native land of Indonesia
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Ten endangered primates were given a fresh start this month, after being flown more than 7,000 miles from Kent to Indonesia. The primates – a mix of Javan gibbons and langurs – were all born at either Port Lympne Reserve or Howletts Wild Animal Park, both in Kent.
![[The primates – a mix of Javan gibbons and langurs – were all born at either Port Lympne Reserve or Howletts Wild Animal Park, both in Kent]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/15/94216157-0-Among_the_travelling_gibbons_was_Satu_a_cheeky_young_male_with_a-a-89_1737128689665.jpg)
The Aspinall Foundation, an animal conservation charity, flew them more than 7,000 miles to their native land of Indonesia just in time for the New Year. The trip involved loading them into specially-designed crates before transporting them to Heathrow airport where they took off on a commercial flight.
![[The animals were taken to a rehabilitation centre in Java, where they will spend several months preparing for rewilding]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/15/94216161-0-The_animals_were_taken_to_a_rehabilitation_centre_in_Java_where_-a-88_1737128687201.jpg)
All primates were conscious throughout the journey – other than having a nap – and had access to their usual diet of root vegetables, fine beans and leafy greens. They also each travelled with a packed lunch of their favourite items selected by their keepers.
![[The 8,000-hectare protected site where the primates will be released to live as free animals]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/15/94216269-0-The_8_000_hectare_protected_site_where_the_primates_will_be_rele-a-93_1737128745090.jpg)
After landing in Indonesia they were transported to a rehabilitation centre in Java, where they rang in 2025 by swinging among Indonesian trees in their native land as they prepare for rewilding. After several months, they will be released into a protected site covering 8,000 hectares (80 km²) to live as free animals among 90 different species of tree.
Ten endangered primates were given a fresh start this month, after being flown more than 7,000 miles from Kent to Indonesia. At the age of 16, Vitus the Javan langur was the oldest of the group to make the journey. The primates – a mix of Javan gibbons and langurs – were all born at either Port Lympne Reserve or Howletts Wild Animal Park, both in Kent.
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