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YIARI Orangutan Rescue, Rehabilitation and Conservation Center (Ketapang)

The need for an orangutan rescue center in West Kalimantan became apparent to Dr. Karmele Llano Sanchez, YIARI’s Director of Operations, in 2009. This was when she first came across JoJo, an endearing young orangutan being kept as a pet in horrid conditions. Dr. Sanchez treated JoJo’s wound caused by a tight chain around his ankle. She vowed to return to rescue JoJo just as soon as there was a suitable center available to care for him. This transpired in 2010 and JoJo was the first orangutan rescued by YIARI and brought to a newly established transit center. In 2011, eleven orangutans were rescued from an ill-fated orangutan rescue center in Sintang and brought to the transit center. Then, in 2013, YIARI established the first large-scale rescue and rehabilitation center for orangutans in the province of West Kalimantan.

Today, the site covers 150 hectares. The YIARI center has large quarantine areas for new arrivals and pre-release candidates; a fully-equipped veterinary clinic; office facilities; an education building; indoor accommodation and an outdoor play area for infants and babies; and spacious forested island enclosures where rescued orangutans can develop the natural skills they will need to survive back in the wild.

Surrogate Orangutan Mothers

Orangutan babies develop very slowly. In the wild, orangutans stay with their mothers for up to 8 years as they learn all the necessary survival skills for life in the forest. When babies are taken from their mothers and eventually come to an orangutan rehabilitation center, it is up to human caregivers to provide lessons in climbing, nest building, foraging, and safety. This is not ideal, as no person can truly replicate an orangutan mother. YIARI, therefore, utilizes a unique approach whenever possible. Orphaned babies are paired with an adult female orangutan who is undergoing rehabilitation at the center. The natural compassion of orangutans means that they are often willing to care for a baby who is not their own. The adult females are able to practice mothering, and the babies receive tender loving care from an orangutan, as they deserve. New mom and baby pairs are housed together in a private enclosure during the bonding process. They are then transferred to a pre-release island on the grounds of the YIARI center. Once deemed ready, the pair is released together to freedom in the forest!

Unreleasable Orangutans

YIARI is caring for 18 orangutans who are unable to return to live in the forest due to illness, disability, or lack of survival skills due to years in captivity. These special orangutans require lifetime care, which is an enormous commitment as orangutans can live to 50+ years old. YIARI is not only dedicated to providing compassionate care and a life of dignity for the orangutans, but they are determined to bring the orangutans out of cages and into the trees. After years of planning, a new 2 hectare forested enclosure has been created on the grounds of the YIARI Center. Full of tall trees, lush foliage and climbing structures, this new sanctuary space is everything the unreleasable orangutans deserve. One by one, the orangutans are being taught to move in and out of the forested area, so that the orangutans may take turns enjoying this wonderful environment. Orangutan Outreach shares YIARI’s pledge to provide the best possible life for the unreleasable orangutans.

The Power of Mama

An amazing group of resilient women was formed in 2022 with the aim to combat wildfires and raise awareness of the dangers of fires in the Indonesian part of Borneo. The Power of Mama is a community-led initiative supported by YIARI. This effort is inspiring local women to play an active role in forest protection and fire prevention. Fires are one of the biggest risks to the rainforest and to the survival of orangutans. The Power of Mama is the first-ever group of female firefighters in Borneo and they are making a tremendous impact. They are championing wildlife conservation, changing attitudes towards women in society, and building a better world for future generations. These dedicated women make daily patrols of fire-prone areas during the dry season, focusing on prevention. However, they jump into action on a moment’s notice when a fire breaks out. In the rainy season, they shift their approach to outreach and education. This inspiring group of leaders has grown to over 100 women strong. Orangutan Outreach is proud to support the tremendous work of the Power of Mama. Learn more.