An orangutan wandered into a remote Indonesian village and hung out with surprised residents for several days earlier this month in a rare encounter between the critically endangered species and humans.

Locals were amazed when the large male strolled into the village of Lusan in East Kalimantan on June 7.

Villagers gathered around to feed the ape which appeared to be weak and possibly lost.

Officials from the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Center arrived after several days and transported the unexpected visitor to a conservation centre from which it was due to be released into the Bornean forest.

The centre suspects that the ape was previously released into the wild from a conservation programme because a microchip was found in his body.

Illegal logging, oil palm farming and other industry have caused severe declines in orangutan populations and ranges.

Local residents in Indonesia surprised by the entry of orangutans into their village in Lusan, Muara Komam, Paser district, East Kalimantan (Borneo) province.

The arrival of the protected animal on Monday, June 7, made the residents wonder because this was the first time an orangutan had appeared in their village.

Seeing the tame and weak orangutan, the locals flocked to approach, hold and feed him.

Muhammad Irham, the head of Lusan village who filmed the orangutans arrived moment, said, although they were worried that orangutans would harm the villagers, they realized that orangutans are protected animals.

"For the safety of residents and the safety of orangutans, we report to the BKSDA," Irham said.

The Orangutan rescue team from the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) and the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation who came to the location for evacuation didn't find the orangutans because they were suspected to have re-entered the forest.

East Kalimantan BKSDA officer, Nur Patria Kurniawan, told the media, from the viral video, it appears that this is a wild orangutan, estimated to be over 15 years old and male.

"It's an old orangutan looking for food under, no longer up in the trees. Behaving aloof or solitary," Patria added.

On the third day of monitoring in Lusan village, BKSDA saw orangutans re-entering the village about 500 meters from Lusan.

Officers immediately evacuated the orangutans for rehabilitated at BOS-F Samboja Lestari in Samboja District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency.

Meanwhile, the Padi Indonesian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) suspects that the arrival of these mammals to settlements is a sign of danger.

Director of Padi Indonesia, Ahmad Suudi Jawahir Asyami, confirmed that orangutans entering Lusan Village were a rare moment, due to the reduced food supply for orangutans from illegal logging, oil palm plantations, to mining in forests and rivers around the village.