The Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary 2025 season started with a bang, and it's already shaping up to be a special one. We checked in with volunteer coordinator Matt to hear more about what volunteers of month one have been up to!
The first month has been a whirlwind of activity, giving our volunteers a true taste of sanctuary life. From the classic crafting of hammocks to making fun snacks, including ice lollies and coconut husks, volunteers got stuck in enriching the lives of the resident orangutans.
Volunteers also enjoyed soaking up Bornean culture on the hilltop hike and experiencing the buzz of the local night market.
But among all the memorable moments, the heart of this month's efforts lies in the reforestation work happening on the new orangutan islands! Here's what Matt had to say about the work undertaken by the first couple of groups:
"Our team of 10 volunteers in month one hailed from all the corners of the globe, including the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, the USA and the Netherlands; their selfless determination was put to the test on the newly constructed islands. This intricate web of what will eventually total nine man-made islands will host unreleasable orangutans who may suffer from an array of disabilities, including limb loss and respiratory conditions. Plotting an island on a map and making one, in reality, are worlds apart, and one of the key prerequisites for any primate rehabilitation is the need for space to climb.
After a crash course in tree planting and with temperatures reaching 34 degrees, our sunscreen-soaked group began the arduous but hugely rewarding task of planting trees on Island One. The fast-growing species we planted will be primarily used for shade for the orangutans, and once they reach the height of 6-10 metres, we will accommodate the space for orangutans to build their nightly nest for some peaceful starlit slumber.
After two days of planting, watering, mulching and maintaining, our team withdrew for some well-earned rest, with a gained sense of community and purpose that could only grow as we ready and prepared for our next challenge, the construction of 4-metre-high feeding towers!
Thanks to the beautiful, funny, and empathetic volunteers of month one at Nyaru Menteng: Denise, Jeannie, Hannah, Manon, Mark, Geraldine, Maarten, Jan, Helen and Donna."
