Video: BOS Nyaru Menteng 23rd Orangutan Release Candidates
July 17th 2018 — The BOS Foundation has released another group of orangutans from Nyaru Menteng into the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Forest in Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan. Here are the profiles of the amazing orangutans. Included in the release are several pairs of mothers and babies.
1. VISTA and VEE
Vista was rescued from Barunang Miri Village, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. She came to Nyaru Menteng on June 26, 2006, when she was only 8 months old and weighed 1.5 kilograms.
After passing quarantine, Vista joined Forest School and completed all stages within a few years. She continued to the pre-release stage of her rehabilitation process on Palas Island and gave birth to a baby boy there on April 5, 2017, whom we later named Vee.
Baby Vee developed a skin infection soon after birth that required treatment, and was taken to the Nyaru Menteng clinic together with mother Vista. On May 18, 2017, a fully-recovered Vee was moved to Bangamat Island with his mother to continue the pre-release rehabilitation process. In the year since then, Bangamat saw the mother-infant pair make some incredible progress, and both were declared ready for release.
Vista is now 13 years old, and with her energetic 1-year-old son, Vee, is ready to enjoy life in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
2. TERANG
Terang was rescued from Terantang Village, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan, and brought to Nyaru Menteng on November 11, 2004. She was estimated to be 1.5 years old at the time, weighed 3 kilograms, and was found in a very poor condition: suffering from malnutrition, with severe dehydration, ear inflammation, and swollen sublingual glands.
After passing the quarantine period, Terang joined Forest School and worked diligently through every level. On June 29, 2013, Terang moved on to the pre-release stage of the rehabilitation process on Kaja Island to hone her foraging skills. Although Terang was not a dominant figure on the island, she was still able to prove that she could defend herself when required.
Terang is now 16 years old and weighs 43.6 kilograms. She has long dark-brown hair, round melancholic eyes, and a sturdy figure. Armed with the skills she has acquired during her years of rehabilitation, Terang is now ready to live free in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
3. INDI
Indi was rescued from Timpah Village, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan, and brought to Nyaru Menteng on January 14, 2003. She was about 12 months old at the time, weighed 4 kilograms, and was in a very poor condition: suffering from malnutrition, severe dehydration, and a fever.
Following a compulsory period of quarantine, Indi joined Forest School and completed all stages before moving to the pre-release stage on Kaja Island, on March 2, 2013. She continued to develop her skills during her time on Kaja, where she became very independent and vigilant, and especially cautious of humans.
Indi is now 16 years old and weighs 48.9 kilograms. She has long and thick reddish-brown hair, a protruding forehead, and solid figure. With the skills she has acquired during her years of rehabilitation, Indi is now ready to live free in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
4. NANDA and ANANDA
Nanda was rescued on April 19, 2006, after being illegally held captive for a year in Jakarta. She was brought to Nyaru Menteng when she was 3 years old, with a weight of 7.1 kilograms.
Nanda underwent the quarantine process before joining Forest School. Upon completion of Forest School, Nanda continued to the pre-release stage on Kaja Island, on March 3, 2015. There, she further developed her skills and managed to socialize well with others. Her alluring characteristics captured the attention of many male orangutans on the island.
On June 12, 2016, Nanda gave birth to a baby boy we later named Ananda. She transformed into a loving, alert, and protective mother.
Thanks to her advanced skillset and maturity, 15-year-old Nanda - together with 2-year-old Ananda - will soon enjoy freedom in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
5. SUMA
Suma was rescued by a joint team from the Central Kalimantan BKSDA and BOS Foundation’s Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, from a local resident in Palangka Raya, who claimed to have found her stranded alone in a farmer’s field. She was brought to Nyaru Menteng on December 5, 2004, when she was 2.5 years old, with a weight of 7.2 kilograms.
Suma made it through quarantine and joined Forest School, which she completed in 2009. In 2015, she was moved to Kaja pre-release island. Although not a dominant figure on the island, Suma was always highly alert and exhibited superb social skills. She developed into a skilled forager.
Suma is now 17 years old and weighs 43.3 kilograms. This unique-looking, sturdy female with thick hair and a protruding forehead will soon live as a true, wild orangutan in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
6. COKLAT
Coklat arrived at Nyaru Menteng on May 5, 2004, as a 2-year-old orphan, weighing 9 kilograms. A resident of Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan, had been illegally keeping him as a pet.
Coklat successfully passed the quarantine phase and entered Forest School, then advanced to the pre-release stage on Bangamat Island on February 28, 2015. During his time on Bangamat Island, Coklat further developed his survival skills and grew to become a dominant figure.
Coklat is now 16 years old and weighs 67 kg. He has dark-brown, long hair and fully developed cheekpads. Coklat is ready to return to life in the forest, and will soon be released to the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park to live as a true, wild orangutan.
7. KADEK
Kadek was rescued by a joint team from the Central Kalimantan BKSDA and BOS Foundation Nyaru Menteng, from a local resident in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. She was brought to Nyaru Menteng on March 29, 2007, when she was 3.5 years old and weighed 7 kilograms. She arrived in an unfortunate condition without her mother.
After completing quarantine, Kadek joined Forest School and progressed through every level before finally moving on to the pre-release stage on Bangamat Island, on March 24, 2016. Kadek honed her foraging skills during her time on the island and succeeded in transforming into an independent orangutan. She loves to mingle with other orangutans, but firmly dislikes human presence.
Kadek is now 15, and after completing 11 years of rehabilitation is ready to return home the wild forest of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
8. KENYA
Kenya was rescued on April 5, 2006, after being held illegally captive by a local resident of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan. She was 2 years old at the time and weighed 6.4 kilograms.
After completing the rehabilitation process in Forest School, Kenya was moved to Kaja Island on June, 9, 2016, to begin the pre-release stage. On Kaja, Kenya was known for her dislike of humans, even familiar technicians. She is an extremely alert, avid explorer with sound foraging skills.
Kenya is now 14 years old and weighs 46.6 kg. This unique, flat-faced female will soon get to taste freedom in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
9. BULAN
Bulan was rescued from a resident of Madara Village in South Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan, on April 12, 2004. She arrived at Nyaru Menteng in a very poor condition, aged around 2 years old and weighing 6.4 kilograms.
After moving through several stages of Forest School, Bulan graduated and advanced to the pre-release stage on Bangamat Island on March 24, 2016. She spent a lot of time on Bangamat working on her foraging skills and making friends with fellow residents.
Bulan is now 16 years old and weighs 38.9 kilograms. After years of rehabilitation, and with the experiences gained from her time on the pre-release island, she is now ready to explore the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
10. CHINA
China was rescued by a joint team from BOS Foundation’s Nyaru Menteng and the Central Kalimantan BKSDA, from Parenggean Village, East Kotawaringin Regency, on October 8, 2006. She was illegally kept for a month prior to her rescue. She came to Nyaru Menteng when she was 1.5 years old and weighed 3.9 kilograms.
Ten years on, China had finally graduated from Forest School and was moved to pre-release Kaja Island. On Kaja, China developed into a good explorer who disliked human presence. While not a dominant figure, China can still hold her ground when needed, and she is incredibly alert. She has a unique look: thick hair, parted in the middle, with a bump on her forehead.
China is now 14 years old and weighs 38.6 kilograms. After 11 long years of rehabilitation at Nyaru Menteng, China is now ready to face new adventures in the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
11. ZAZU
Zazu came to Nyaru Menteng on April 6, 2005, when he was just 1.5 years old and weighed 6.6 kilograms. He was rescued from a palm-oil plantation worker, who had held him captive for three months in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan.
Zazu completed Forest School and was moved to Kaja Island on April 8, 2016. He explored all over the island and preferred to steer clear of others – especially humans.
Zazu is now 15 years old and weighs 35.6 kilograms. After 13 years of rehabilitation, this amazing male is ready to roam free in the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
Text by: BOS Foundation Communication Team
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