OUR AMAZING MEDICAL TEAM: RESCUING FROM FOREST FIRES

The annual forest-burning season in Central and East Kalimantan has devastating impacts on orangutan conservation efforts and the BOS Foundation’s operations in general. This year’s forest fires began in mid-August and exacerbated by the prolonged dry season, created a thick haze and subsequent air pollution crisis that peaked during September and October in the region.

The BOS Foundation’s team in Nyaru Menteng, together with the Central Kalimantan BKSDA, embarked on several rescue missions to save orangutans affected by the. One of the rescued orangutans was an adult male estimated to be 15 years old who was discovered on a local farm in Tumbang Nusa village, Pulang Pisau Regency, on October 22. He was in terrible condition - underweight, malnourished, severely dehydrated, and with a wounded left eye that likely occurred whilst fleeing throught the trees to escape the fires.

This orangutan clearly needed treatment and the BOS Foundation rescue team immediately transferred the orangutan to Nyaru Menteng for medical attention. Our vet team got straight to work. The orangutan was in a poor state and it became rapidly apparent that his left eye had become so badly infected it had to be surgically removed.

“We had to operate on his left eye, to prevent the infection spreading through his neural system to the other eye,” said vet Agus Fahroni.
The orangutan is now recovering from his ordeal and has gained weight. The Nyaru Menteng medical team is intensively monitoring his progress.

After completing the post-surgery recovery stage, the BOS Foundation Nyaru Menteng rescue team – together with the Central Kalimantan BSKDA - will transport and release this male back to a safe area of forest.

On October 29, the joint orangutan rescue team successfully translocated three orangutans (two male and one pregnant female) to a safe area of forest.

Our veterinarians are responsible for ensuring that every orangutan within BOS Foundation’s rehabilitation centres – Samboja Lestari and Nyaru Menteng - is healthy and cared for. They provide medicine and supplements daily for the orangutans under their care. They must observe and recognize each individual orangutan at Nyaru Menteng and get to know every one of their personal needs. They must also be prepared to go on rescue missions 24/7 around Central Kalimantan.

A huge thanks to the dedication of our veterinary and rescue team! We are very proud of you all.