The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), in collaboration with Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry, alongside the Natural Resources Conservation Centre of Central Kalimantan, is gearing up for the 44th release of rehabilitated orangutans from the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary. Meet the remarkable orangutan candidates who are nearly ready for life in the wild in the protected Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park!
HAPPY
Happy was rescued from a village in Central Kalimantan in 2010 when he was just 1.5 years old and weighed 4 kg. After his quarantine, Happy began rehabilitation at forest school and advanced to the Salat Pre-release Island in 2022. Known for his adventurous nature and strong foraging skills, Happy is an explorer by heart. He can be a little grumpy and doesn't easily accept the presence of new orangutans! Now a 16-year-old male, he is ready to explore the true wilderness of the national park.
JENGYOS
Jengyos, a 9-year-old female, was rescued from a village in the Katingan Regency in 2016 at just 1 year old, weighing 2.6 kg. After graduating from forest school, she moved to the pre-release island in 2022. After thriving on the island and demonstrating her extreme independence, the team decided she was the perfect candidate for release. Soon, she'll make the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park her new home.
RUNTU
Runtu was repatriated from Thailand in 2006 with 47 other orangutans, including super-mother Du. She was 5.5 years old and weighed 19 kg at the time. After quarantine, Runtu entered forest school and joined the pre-release island in 2020. As a very curious orangutan, she displayed her skilful foraging talents on the island and is now ready for freedom at 23 years of age.
BEJO
Bejo, a 17-year-old male, was rescued near the Nyaru Menteng Centre in 2009. He was found orphaned, estimated to be 1.5 years old and weighed 3.7 kg. After progressing through forest school and the pre-release phase on Salat Island, Bejo is now fully prepared for the wild. He's known for his cooperative nature with familiar orangutans and his avoidance of competition. Bejo is ready to embark on a new adventure in the wild!
MERYL
Meryl, a compassionate 10-year-old female, was rescued from a village in the Katingan Regency in 2015 when she was just 8 months old and weighed 2.7 kg. After completing quarantine and forest school, she moved to a pre-release island in 2021, building positive connections with other orangutans. Meryl is ready to rejoin the forest and live freely as a wild orangutan.
BLEGI
Blegi was rescued in Buntok in 2015 at approximately three years old. After quarantine, he completed forest school and progressed to Kaja Island in 2021, where his curiosity and sociable nature helped him thrive. Now, at twelve years old, Blegi is set to return to the wild as a truly free orangutan.
***
As these remarkable orangutans prepare for their new chapter in the wild, their journeys symbolise resilience and the tireless work of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation and its partners, including volunteers! Each orangutan's release is a victory for conservation, a testament to the years of dedicated rehabilitation, and a hopeful reminder of what's possible when communities and organisations unite to protect wildlife. Returning to the forest, they carry their survival skills and the collective hopes of all who have supported their path to freedom. Here's to their new lives in Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, where they can finally live as nature intended - wild and free. We look forward to bringing you updates on their release!
If you want to support rescued orangutans on their journey back to the wild, why not volunteer with orangutans at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary? Head over to the project page now and learn how you can make a difference.
