On September 13, 2015, a two-year-old female orangutan began a long journey back to Indonesia. The young orangutan was later named Moza. After being rescued from Kuwait, she was repatriated to Indonesia through a collaboration between the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (Ditjen KSDAE) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (now the Ministry of Forestry) and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuwait.
Upon arriving in Indonesia, Moza underwent a quarantine period at Taman Safari Indonesia in Cisarua, Bogor. Veterinary examinations showed that the tiny infant was in good health. However, like many orangutans who once lived far from their natural habitat, Moza’s journey to becoming a true wild orangutan had only just begun.
After completing quarantine, Moza was transferred to the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Central Kalimantan, managed by the BOS Foundation. Like other students in the “forest school”, Moza went through various rehabilitation stages designed to help her regain her natural instincts.
She learned essential survival skills such as climbing trees, recognizing different forest food sources, and building nests for resting. Her progress was carefully monitored by surrogate mothers, veterinarians, and our dedicated animal welfare team.
From the very beginning, Moza was known as an intelligent individual who learned quickly. Her strong adaptability allowed her rehabilitation to progress relatively fast. After around four years of intensive learning in forest school, Moza was finally considered ready to move on to the next stage.
In 2019, Moza was transferred to a pre-release island. On the island, she gained greater freedom to explore, forage for food, and interact with her natural surroundings. Routine monitoring continued, although not as intensively as during forest school, to ensure that her rehabilitation progress remained on track.
More than a decade after first returning to Indonesia, Moza has grown into an adult female orangutan estimated to be around 15–16 years old. Her life has also entered a very important new chapter: she has become a mother. On Kaja Island, Moza is now caring for a young male orangutan named Minho, who is estimated to be around three to four years old.
During one observation session, our island observers spotted Moza and her infant in healthy condition. Moza was first seen sitting in a tree at a height of around one to five meters while enjoying her lunch. Minho mirrored his mother’s behaviour nearby. After finishing their meal, the pair slowly moved deeper into the canopy until they disappeared from the team’s view.
Moza (First arrived at 2016)
Moza now with her offspring, Minho
Moza now with her offspring, Minho
Moza now with her offspring, Minho
Moza now with her offspring, Minho
On another observation day, Moza and Minho were seen enjoying the warm afternoon on the island in a delightful way by playing in the water. Both mother and infant walked toward the water’s edge and began soaking themselves. Their interaction reflected the strong bond between mother and child.
This behaviour also forms an important part of Minho’s learning process. By allowing him to explore his surroundings, Moza is naturally teaching him the survival skills he will need in the future.
After finishing their playtime, Moza approached the feeding platform to enjoy supplementary food provided by our technicians. Both mother and son eagerly finished the melon and papaya before continuing with the rest of their daily routines. Throughout the observation, Minho remained close to his mother.
Moza’s story is a reminder that every rescued orangutan carries new hope for the future of their species. Once a young individual living far from her natural habitat, Moza has now become a mother raising the next generation in a more natural environment.
Her long journey shows that with the right opportunity, orangutans can reclaim lives close to the wild. Today, beneath the forest canopy of Kaja Island, Moza and Minho continue preparing for the day when they may finally return to the forests of Kalimantan.
In the Tuanan Research Station, wild male orangutans move through the canopy with remarkable strength and grace. Among them is Dayak: a majestic flanged male whose broad cheek pads signal maturity, dominance, and excellent health.
Roy, a young male orangutan estimated to be around two years old, is now undergoing rehabilitation at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Central Kalimantan.
Do you remember the story of Sally and her little furry friend? That simple story actually opens a wider window into our understanding of orangutan social interaction.
