How Do Orangutans Undergo Their Annual Health Checks?
Date Posted: September 26, 2025
Text by: BOS Foundation Communications Team at Samboja Lestari, East Kalimantan
At the BOS Samboja Lestari Rehabilitation Center, routine health checks are conducted every year to ensure the well-being of orangutans under care. Recently, our medical team, animal welfare team, and technician team at Samboja Lestari conducted a general examination of several rehabilitated orangutans at our rehab centre.
The purpose of this examination is to closely monitor the health of the orangutans. Any individual showing signs of illness is immediately separated from the group to receive more intensive treatment and to prevent the spread of disease to others.
The Medical Examination Process
The health checks involve a wide range of procedures, including blood sampling and bronchoscopy examination (Bronchoalveolar Lavage or BAL). Further tests include complete blood counts, liver and kidney function tests, blood typing and rhesus factor, cholesterol and uric acid levels, as well as screenings for hepatitis, malaria, dengue, and tuberculosis using methods such as culture and PCR.
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This process is time-consuming and requires considerable manpower. It begins with sedation, which is often one of the most challenging steps. Technicians must distract the orangutans, as many dislike the sight of darting equipment.
Some orangutans become aggressive, making sedation more difficult. Once the orangutan is safely sedated, the team must work together to carry the individual to the clinic. A task that requires multiple people due to the animals’ significant body weight.
Results and Follow-Up Actions
Overall, the results of this year’s health checks showed that all orangutans were in good physical condition. However, several individuals required follow-up actions. Bagus, Combat, BoySopo, and Antony were moved to Socialization Enclosure A.
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Through these comprehensive medical examinations, the team at Samboja Lestari remains committed to safeguarding the health of every orangutan in rehabilitation. With good health and strength, these orangutans will have a better chance of returning to their true home: the forest.
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