EXPERIENCE TO OBSERVE ORANGUTANS

At the beginning of May, our team at PT. Restorasi Habitat Orangutan Indonesia (PT. RHOI) welcomed a wave of new personnel. These new recruits were assigned to three divisions: Post-Release Monitoring (PRM), Ecosystem Restoration–Forest Management & Development (RE-PPH), and Ecosystem Restoration-Protection, Security, and Fire Management (RE-PPHK).

Each division has its distinct roles and responsibilities. The PRM division focusses not only on observing orangutans but also on inventorying other wildlife encountered during patrols. Meanwhile, the RE divisions are tasked with protecting, securing, and managing the forest to prevent potential damage.

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It’s been a joy to have more friends at the camp, bringing fresh energy and excitement to our daily operations. The PRM team, in particular, gained four new members: Rasya, Farhan, Ferdi, and Rangga. These new colleagues are eager to learn and are already showing a keen interest in their duties, especially in observing orangutans. Before heading out into the field, they were trained on how to read the ethogram—a tool our PRM team uses to record orangutan behaviour. On their first observation outing, they approached the task with seriousness and enthusiasm.

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The new team members were divided into two groups for their initial foray into the wild. The first group, consisting of Farhan and Ferdi, embarked on their first orangutan observation during a monitoring session at Transect Lito. For Farhan, this was his first time seeing an orangutan in its natural habitat, an experience he described as unforgettable. Meanwhile, the second group, composed of Rangga and Rasya, had the chance to observe orangutans near the Nles Mamse Camp. They were fortunate enough to spot Signe and her baby, who hadn’t been seen for nearly a year.

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As they learnt the ropes of observation, the new team members were also trained in documenting their findings, taking GPS coordinates, prioritising behaviour recording, and understanding what not to do during an observation. One of the challenges they had to face was adapting to the terrain. Observing orangutans, who spend most of their time brachiating high up in the canopy, is no easy task. The PRM team members often find themselves navigating the rugged and hilly terrain of Kehje Sewen Forest, struggling to keep pace with the agile and swift orangutans from the ground.

The observation ended when the four PRM members lost track of the orangutans they were following. Though their efforts weren’t perfect, the new recruits have shown strong determination to keep learning and improving. Keep up the great work, team!