FIVE RECENTLY RELEASED ORANGUTANS THRIVING IN THE TNBBBR

Our Post Release Monitoring (PRM) team in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya (BBBR) National Park in Central Kalimantan has the huge responsibility of conducting daily observations on the 10 orangutans that were released last month. The team patrolling and tracking the area set out to locate orangutans based on records documenting their last-known whereabouts, and through radio signals. Once an orangutan is located, the team observes and records their behaviour and movements.

Data collected from observation missions is regularly analysed to determine how each individual is adapting to life in the wild. The following is a summary we recently received from the PRM team after observations were carried out on some of the orangutans released in August.

Kameloh’s Encounter with Rambo and Mima
Kameloh was released along the Denny transect on August 14, and has since been actively exploring his new surroundings. This strong male is adapting well, and has been observed consuming forest fruits and rattan shoots. On one of his adventures, Kameloh bumped into another male, Rambo, and shortly after met a female named Mima.

On the day our PRM team observed him, Kameloh was found resting on a tree branch enjoying some fruit. The team saw Rambo approach Kameloh, who swiftly showed his displeasure at this stranger’s presence: He got up from his resting position to break some branches and let out a long call, as if to mark his territory. The smaller Rambo quickly changed his mind about meeting Kameloh and backed away.

After succeeding in getting rid of Rambo, Kameloh then constructed a nest in a sangkuang tree and took a nap there.

Whilst observing Kameloh at rest, the team saw Mima come by. Without realizing Kameloh’s presence in the area, Mima approached the very tree in which Kameloh was taking a nap. Sensing some movements, Kameloh got up from his resting place; his hair stood up on end in a clear display of displeasure at this uninvited visitor. In an act of aggression, Kameloh rushed in on Mima, but quickly realized his new visitor was a female.

Kameloh promptly changed his response and instead showed an interest in Mima, but she headed away. Kameloh, not keen to let her go so easily, followed Mima for around two hours with the team in hot pursuit.

Mima finally had a change of heart and Kameloh’s efforts paid off with the two copulating. They became a pair – exploring, foraging, and spending time together in the forest.

Doren and Daichi
After her release on August 11, Doren, with little Daichi dangling from her belly, has been tirelessly exploring her new home in the BBBR National Park. Doren seems to be enjoying the journey, and our PRM team have had to work hard to keep up with her and her baby.

One morning, Doren and Daichi were observed sitting on the branch of a sangkuang tree, not far from a newly built nest. Both appeared in good shape, with Doren eating plenty of sangkuang fruit while Daichi played at getting his mother’s attention.

After finishing her meal, Doren took Daichi to explore the surrounding area for about two hours and then returned to the morning nest to nap together. After his mother had fallen asleep, Daichi snuck away to play in a nearby liana tree where he dangled confidently from the branches. The team were surprised to see that Daichi, while still under 12 months old, is already able to identify natural forest food! He happily snacked on young leaves in the tree while his mother dozed.

We are very happy to see that Kameloh, Rambo, Mima, Doren and Daichi – who were released to the BBBR National Park in August – are all healthy, active, and adapting well to their new natural home!