A NEW FACE COMING TO FOREST SCHOOL

The BOS Foundation's Samboja Lestari Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, in collaboration with the Conservation Section of the Regional Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA SKW II) in Tenggarong, has once again rescued a juvenile orangutan. Dr. Agnes Pratamiutami Sriningsih, Aluna Sagita Nainggolan, M. Bahri, Riswandi Adi Putra, and Tri Sylvateja, picked up the orangutan on September 15, 2023, to bring her to the rehabilitation centre for further examination.

Dr. Agnes examined the young orangutan, who was later named Basar. Basar is a female orangutan who weighs 10-12 kg and is estimated to be around 4-6 years old based on her teeth. Her physical exam revealed no injuries or deformities, although she appeared thin. When she saw our team for the first time, she showed that she was afraid, but during the long drive to the Samboja Lestari Rehabilitation Centre, Basar happily consumed fruits and grew slightly more comfortable.

Basar, who was still confused and hesitant when she arrived at Samboja Lestari, was brought to the Baby House for further examination. The team faced challenges during the test as Basar continued to resist, requiring multiple persons to control her. The team briefly held her limbs while the veterinary team swiftly examined her and took blood samples.

Over the last three months, Basar's health has been in flux. Faecal examinations when she first came to Samboja Lestari confirmed that she was positive for Balantidium, a parasite impacting her digestion and producing diarrhoea. Our veterinary team administered treatment and antibiotics. Unfortunately, come November, Basar started to experience constipation. Our veterinary team treated her again with a change in diet and the provisioning of medicine.

Now Basar's health is slowly but surely improving! We are confident that she will finally be able to join the other orangutans at the Forest School come the middle of this month. We will be with her every step of the way as she adjusts to this new life!