SAMBOJA LESTARI 9th ORANGUTAN RELEASE CANDIDATE PROFILES

On its 25th anniversary this year, the BOS Foundation with East Kalimantan BKSDA will once again release 4 rehabilitated orangutans from Samboja Lestari to Kehje Sewen Forest. This is their profiles

1. Rafli 
Rafli was rescued in Sebulu – an area in East Kalimantan that was severely damaged by forest fires in 1997/98 – and was brought to Wanariset-Samboja (now called Samboja Lestari) on February 14, 2005, when he was 13 years old.

At the time of his rescue, Rafli exhibited wild behaviour that indicated he hadn’t previously been in captivity. After spending a period of time in the socialization complex togehter with Elisan and Juri, Rafli was relocated to a pre-release island in early 2015. Rafli quickly adapted on the island and has since been spending his days there relearning survival skills through exploring, climbing trees, building nests and actively foraging.

Rafli is now 24 years old and weighs 75 kilograms. After spending 11 years in our rehabilitation center, this dark-faced, flanged male will soon taste freedom in the wilds of the Kehje Sewen Forest.

2. Saprol
Saprol was rescued together with his mother Inul, in the Sebulu area of Kutai Kartanegara Regency on May 11, 2006. Tragically, Inul came to Samboja Lestari with fatal injuries and a distraught Saprol clinging desperately to her. Sadly, Inul’s injuries were severe and she could not be saved. Left orphaned, Saprol was raised by our dedicated carers at Samboja Lestari.

Together with Jamur, Jlo, Sarmi, Nila and others, Saprol was relocated to Pulau 1-2, a manmade pre-release island at Samboja Lestari. He was moved with two mother-infant pairs, with one of the mothers, Sarmi, who is now living in Kehje Sewen Forest, took care of Saprol who became a brother to Sani, her daughter.

Saprol is now 11 years old and weighed 38 kilograms. This dark haired male with a thick reddish beard will soon live an independent life in the Kehje Sewen Forest, where perhaps he may meet up with surrogate mother Sarmi.

3. Jamur
Jamur was rescued in a joint team effort between the East Kalimantan BKSDA and the BOS Foundation in the Bengalon Sub-regency, East Kutai, East Kalimantan on November 1, 1998. She was 4 years old when she arrived at Samboja Lestari.

Stocky Jamur with her thick hair and round eyes, gave birth to her first daughter, J-lo on March 5, 2006.

Although she grew up in a rehabilitation center without the guidance of her own mother, Jamur turned out to be a good mother to J-Lo, who is now 10 years old.

Jamur is now 22 years old and will soon be released to natural habitat in the Kehje Sewen Forest alongside her daughter J-lo, who has been living on her own for a number of years.

4. J-Lo
J-Lo was born in Wanariset (now called Samboja Lestari) on March 5, 2006. She was raised by her mother, Jamur, from birth and learned from her all the knowledge and skills necessary for survival in the wild.

J-Lo has already mastered building nests, identifying natural predators and foraging for forest foods. She dislikes human presence and kiss-squeaks when she sees or senses people approaching.

Now 10 years old, the beautiful J-Lo is ready to go with her mother, Jamur, and her best friend, Saprol, to live an independent life in Kehje Sewen Forest.