BOS Nyaru Menteng 16th Orangutan Release Candidate Profiles

17 February 2017 — To launch the #FREEDOM campaign, the BOS Foundation in joint cooperation with the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Agency (BKSDA) is reintroducing another 12 orangutans from Nyaru Menteng into Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (BBBR-NP). In this event, 1 orangutan repatriated from Thailand 10 years ago, will also join the group to be release. Here are their profiles! Bon voyage, everyone! Safe travels!

Learn more about the BOS Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Release Program

SEMI-WILD

Semi-wild orangutans are those who, at the time of rescue, have previously encountered humans yet have acquired and retained sufficient natural behaviors and vital skills to survive alone in the wild.

1. PAK HERRY


Pak Herry arrived at BOSF Nyaru Menteng on August 28, 2003, after being rescued from a local resident in Parigi vilage, Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan. He was two years old, weighed 7 kilograms and was still exhibiting wild behaviors.

In early 2012, Pak Herry was involved in a fight with another orangutan that injured his right pinkie finger to the extent it had to be amputated. After his wounds healed, he continued with rehabilitation and was moved to a pre-release island on February 28, 2015. On Bangamat Island, Pak Herry was one of the more aggressive and dominant males, feared by other orangutans who inhabited the island.

Now 14 years old and weighing 73 kilograms, Pak Herry has developed a good skillset and independent behaviours over his 13 years of rehabilitation at Nyaru Menteng. This macho male is now ready to explore his true home in the wilds of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

2. INE


Ine was rescued from a local villager in Tumbang Miri, Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan, on January 20, 2004. She arrived at BOSF Nyaru Menteng when she was two years old and weighed 4.7 kilograms. At the time, she still displayed wild behaviours.

After passing the quarantine phase, Ine began the rehabilitation process in the Nyaru Menteng Forest School. She successfully completed all levels, and on June 29, 2013, was moved to Kaja Island to enter the pre-release stage. In July 2015, she was spotted crossing the river and heading for Bangamat Island. She was taken back to Kaja Island by BOSF technicians and eventually adapted well to her new environment.

Ine loves to roam and easily socializes with others, but has also been observed spending time alone. Now 14 years old and weighing 48 kilograms, Ine actively avoids humans. After 12 years of rehabilitation, and armed with the necessary survival skills, Ine is now ready to live in wild forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

3. BAGIO


Bagio was handed over to the BOS Foundation by the Central Kalimantan BKSDA, and was brought to BOSF Nyaru Menteng on November 6, 2013. At the time, Bagio was five years old and allegedly had been rescued by a local resident from Palangka Raya in an area where forest was recently cleared. He presented in a poor condition weighing only 6.4 kilograms, and was suffering from dehydration. He had an open wound on his left eyelid and a broken left femur, and still displayed wild behaviors.

After receiving intensive treatment and returning to sound health, Bagio joined Nyaru Menteng’s Forest School. On November 19, 2014, he advanced to the ‘university’ stage of rehabilitation and was moved to a pre-release island. On Kaja Island, Bagio was somewhat of a loner who remained ever-vigilant and resented human presence.

Now nine years old and weighing 43 kilograms, Bagio is ready to embark on the journey that will take him to his new life and home in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

4. BUNTUT


Buntut arrived at BOSF Nyaru Menteng on January 16, 2003, after being rescued from a local resident from Buntut Bali village, Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan. She was two years old, weighed 6 kilograms, and displayed typically wild behaviors. She had nasty rope burns and scars on both of her wrists.

After passing the mandatory quarantine phase, Buntut began her long rehabilitation process in Nyaru Menteng’s Forest School and was eventually transferred to Kaja Island on November 19, 2014. She was an avid explorer on Kaja, and developed a firm dislike for human presence.

Buntut is now 16 years old and weighs 42 kilograms, and after 14 years of rehabilitation is ready to taste true freedom in the wild forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

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REHABILITANT

Rehabilitant orangutans are those rescued at a young age and/or confiscated from people who have kept them in captivity. These orangutans have limited knowledge and skills required to live independently in the forest, and therefore need to undergo a lengthy period of rehabilitation.

5. WANNA


Wanna is one of 48 orangutans repatriated from Thailand. She arrived at BOSF Nyaru Menteng on November 22, 2006, when she was 6.5 years old and weighed 28 kilograms. She was quite friendly toward humans upon arrival.

After passing the quarantine period, Wanna started the rehabilitation process in Nyaru Menteng Forest School. She eventually passed Forest School and was transferred to Kaja Island on June 24, 2013, to enter the last stage of rehabilitation. Wanna quickly adapted to her new habitat on Kaja Island, where she was a good explorer, forager and nest builder.

Wanna is now 17.5 years old and weighs 56.7 kilograms, and after 10 years of rehabilitation will become the first repatriated orangutan to be released to a wild habitat. She will soon put her skills to the test when she is released to live independently in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

6. BESTY


Besty was brought to Nyaru Menteng on December 19, 2004, after being confiscated by the Central Kalimantan BKSDA from a palm-oil plantation worker in Parenggean, East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan. Little Besty was just 10 months old at the time, weighed 2.2 kilograms and was in a heartbreaking condition: the skin on her scalp and face was parched and peeling, and she was severely dehydrated.

After receiving intensive treatment from our dedicated medical team, Besty started the rehabilitation process at Nyaru Menteng Forest School to help develop all the skills necessary for survival in the wild. On November 24, 2014, Besty completed Forest School and proceeded to the next stage of rehabilitation on pre-release Bangamat Island. She was once spotted making her way over to explore Kaja Island before heading back to Bangamat. This georgous female doesn’t like to be disturbed, and prefers to spend time alone on Bangamant Island, where she has become a good forager and explorer.

Besty is now 13 years old and weighs 49.8 kilograms. She will soon embark on a journey to the forests of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, where she will experience life as a true wild orangutan.

7. NYIWUH


Nyiwuh was rescued from a local resident from Batu Nyiwuh, West Kalimantan, on December 1, 2003. She was 1.5 years old and weighed 9 kilograms upon arrival at Nyaru Menteng, and shortly after began the long rehabilitation process. Nyiwuh was a quick learner and eagerly followed instructions from our dedicated babysitters.

On March 2, 2015, Nyiwuh continued on to the next stage of rehabilitation and was moved to pre-release Kaja Island. She thrived on Kaja and developed exceptional social and foraging skills. However, she also liked to spend time alone.

Nyiwuh is now 15 years old and weighs 46.8 kilograms. Armed with the skills she has learned over her 13 years of rehabilitation at the Nyaru Menteng rehabilitation center, Nyiwuh is more than ready to live in the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

8. JANU


Janu was brought to BOSF Nyaru Menteng on January 20, 2010, after being confiscated by the Central Kalimantan BKSDA from a local resident of Kuala Kapuas, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. He was 18 months old and weighed 8.9 kilograms on arrival, and quickly commenced rehabilitation after passing the quarantine period in the Nyaru Menteng clinic.

Janu completed Forest School on November 20, 2014, and was moved to Kaja pre-release Island for the next stage of rehabilitation. He avoids human interaction, is alert, and good at foraging.

Janu is now eight years old, weighs 42 kilograms, and is growing cheekpads. He will soon live as a true, wild orangutan in the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

9. SOPHIA


Sophia was rescued on August 9, 2005, when she was just two years old and weighed 6.8 kilograms. At the time, she was being held captive by a local residence in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan.

After passing the compulsory quarantine period, Sophia joined Forest School. After completing every level of Forest School, she began her ‘university’ level of rehabilitation on pre-release Bangamat Island on November 24, 2014. Sophia has become a superb explorer during her time on Bangamat, is highly alert around her peers, and refuses contact with humans.

Sophia is now 17 years old and weighs 37.5 kilograms. After 11 years of rehabilitation at Nyaru Menteng, Sophia is now ready to live wild and free in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

10. AULIN


Aulin was rescued by a joint-team from the Central Kalimantan BKSDA and BOS Foundation Nyaru Menteng on December 24, 2005, after being held captive by a palm-oil plantation worker. When she arrived at Nyaru Menteng, Aulin was 2.5 years old, weighed 6.2 kilograms and was in a terrible state: she was parched and extremely underweight, and there were wounds on both of her legs from being bound with rope.

Aulin had to undergo a month of intensive treatment in our medical clinic, and after being declared healthy, began the rehabilitation process in Nyaru Menteng Forest School. She was moved to pre-release Kaja Island on March 2, 2015, where she learned to live more independently.

Aulin likes to explore the island and is quite competitive with others; so much so, she once broke her right index finger in a melee. A broken digit, however, failed to slow her down or dampen her fighting spirit, and she still engaged in her regular activities.

Aulin is now 14 years old and weighs 38.8 kilograms. Eleven years of growth at Nyaru Menteng has made her an amazing figure who will soon taste true freedom in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

11. EKA


Eka was rescued by a joint-team from the Central Kalimantan BKSDA and BOS Foundation Nyaru Menteng on January 27, 2004. She was being held captive by a local resident in Mantangai, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. When she was brought to Nyaru Menteng, Eka was two years old and malnourished, weighing only 6.8 kilograms.

On November 24, 2014, Eka completed Forest School and was placed on pre-release Bangamat Island, where she became a good explorer. Her friendly character means she is good at socializing with others, yet she remains alert whenever other orangutans or humans try to approach her.

Independent Eka has undergone 12 years of rehabilitation at Nyaru Menteng. She is now 14 years old and weighs 45 kilograms, and is ready to live in the wild forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

12. MEGGI


Meggi was rescued by a joint-team from the Central Kalimantan BKSDA and the BOS Foundation on January 17, 2005, from a palm-oil plantation worker in East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan. He had been held captive in a small cage for around nine months, was two years old and weighed 14 kilograms.

After passing the intensive care and quarantine phases under the care of our Nyaru Menteng medical team, Meggi joined his peers in the rehabilitation centre’s Forest School. On February 26, 2015, Meggi was moved to the pre-release island of Bangamat, where he enjoyed being an independent orangutan.

Over 11 years of rehabilitation, Meggi has grown into an amazing figure. He is now 13 years old and weighs 50.4 kilograms. With his well-honed skills, Meggi is ready to call the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park his new home.

Learn more about the BOS Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Release Program
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Text by: BOS Foundation Communications Team

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