Meet Alba: The World’s Only Known Albino Orangutan Still Living In Borneo

On April 29, 2017 a thin, dehydrated, and distressed orangutan was rescued after being captured and caged within Indonesian Borneo. While this is unfortunately not an unusual occurrence, the orangutan in question was something totally unique: a rare albino who became known as Alba.

Alba was thought to be around 5 years old at the time she was rescued and was sent to the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Central Kalimantan, which is run by the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation. Her recovery was slow and she spent around two years under human care at the center. Her albinism doesn't just change the color of her fur – it also comes with health complications, including poor eyesight and problems with her hearing. 

Despite this the BOS Foundation reported that she was making good progress and had good climbing and socialization skills. In December 2018, Alba was deemed well enough to be released into Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, a protected area, with another orangutan called Kika. This process took over 16 hours as the two orangutans traveled over land and even by a four hour boat ride to reach the protected area. After the release the team monitored Alba to make sure she was adapting to life in the jungle.

Despite constant monitoring from the team, there were concerns that Alba could fall victim to poaching. Bornean orangutans are critically endangered and live only on the island of Borneo. Research has suggested that around 2,000-3,000 orangutans have been killed every year on the Indonesian side of the island, representing the deaths of more than half of the original population in just 40 years. 

However an update from two years after the release revealed that Alba was thriving in her new home. “I have received reports that Alba is capable of extensive exploration, skillful foraging, and deft nest building. She also socializes with other released orangutans within the national park. This is truly positive. We all hope that Alba continues to survive in this forest, and live wild,” said Agung Nugroho, Head of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Authority, in a statement in 2020. 

Recently, the team at the BOS Foundation celebrated her rescue anniversary via a post on their Instagram feed and reported that she is still doing well in the forest.