Asia

Name sought for rare albino orangutan rescued in Indonesia

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this April 30, 2017 photo released by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), an albino orangutan sits in a cage as it's being quarantined at a rehabilitation center in Nyaru Menteng, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The conservation group is asking the public to suggest names for the rare albino orangutan that was rescued from villagers in the Indonesian part of Borneo last month, hoping it will become an inspiring symbol of efforts to save the critically endangered species. (Indrayana/BOSF via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this undated photo released by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), an albino orangutan sits in a cage as it's being quarantined at a rehabilitation center in Nyaru Menteng, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The conservation group is asking the public to suggest names for the rare albino orangutan that was rescued from villagers in the Indonesian part of Borneo last month, hoping it will become an inspiring symbol of efforts to save the critically endangered species. (Indrayana/BOSF via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this May 2, 2017 photo released by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), an albino orangutan stands in an enclosure at a rehabilitation center in Nyaru Menteng, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The conservation group is asking the public to suggest names for the rare albino orangutan that was rescued from villagers in the Indonesian part of Borneo last month, hoping it will become an inspiring symbol of efforts to save the critically endangered species. (Indrayana/BOSF via AP) (The Associated Press)

A conservation group is asking the public to suggest names for a rare albino orangutan that was rescued from villagers in the Indonesian part of Borneo last month, hoping it will become an inspiring symbol of efforts to save the critically endangered species.

Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation spokesman Nico Hermanu said Wednesday that the 5-year-old great ape is being kept in a dimly lit enclosure with round the clock veterinarian care after being rescued on April 29.

The foundation says the female orangutan has become an ambassador for her species and wants her name to reflect the "significant conservation challenges" that orangutans face in the wild.

Names can be sent to name@orangutan.org.id or by using the hashtag #albinoorangutan on social media until May 14.