The 28th release by the BOS Foundation in the Kehje Sewen Forest, East Kalimantan, was marked by three orangutans who finally stepped toward the home where they truly belong. Their release day was filled with memorable stories, from tactical river logistics strategies to the engaging actions of these three orangutans upon returning to the wild. Read the full story here.
The journey to the release point in the Kehje Sewen Forest presents extreme terrain challenges. Very limited land access separated by river flows requires an effective transportation strategy. This is where on-the-ground logistical coordination with PT Restorasi Habitat Orangutan Indonesia (RHOI) plays a crucial role through the operation of pontoons.
This situation occurs because the Telen River frequently experiences fluctuations in water depth, making pontoons the most suitable solution. This allows the delivery of food and transport cages to be carried out much faster. Consequently, Catherine, Dennis, and Ames did not have to wait too long inside their cages.
When the cage doors were slowly raised by the designated team, a tense yet fascinating moment unfolded, as each orangutan showed a unique response when facing their day of freedom.
Catherine, who has a long history of overcoming air sacculitis and past trauma as a pet, demonstrated extraordinary spirit. The moment her cage door opened, she climbed the nearest tree without hesitation, moving up into the high canopy and looking around her new surroundings with enthusiasm.
Dennis, a male orangutan known on the pre-release island for his high proficiency in foraging for natural food and nest-building, showed a very confident response. As soon as he exited the cage, Dennis immediately climbed a tree, tested the strength of the branches, and explored his new territory without showing any signs of anxiety toward the humans below.
Meanwhile, Ames, who once endured a difficult period after being separated from his mother during the 2015 forest fires, displayed intense curiosity. Unlike his two companions who immediately chose to climb trees as soon as their cages were opened, Ames chose to explore the ground and hike up a steep hill. His choice surprised the team still positioned behind the cages, causing them to run back to safety. However, Ames simply wanted to explore on foot, following his curiosity before continuing his journey. His winding life story clearly did not dampen his agility in satisfying his curiosity.
The term "party" refers to a situation where more than two orangutans gather within a distance of less than 20 meters and remain within the observers' line of sight. The exact same behavior was displayed by Catherine, Dennis, and Ames shortly after their release.
It did not take long for the three of them to adapt to the vegetation in Kehje Sewen. As soon as Catherine, Dennis, and Ames met, they were busy interacting while enjoying forest fruits such as lahung, figs, as well as palm shoots and buds.
Toward the evening, the Post-Release Monitoring (PRM) team recorded that the three separated to build nests, led by Dennis, who was the most adept at nest-building, followed by Catherine, and then Ames, who still seemed eager to play late into the night. This serves as a strong indicator that their survival instincts are functioning exceptionally well.
The cheerfulness and activity displayed by Catherine, Dennis, and Ames on their release day bring great hope for the sustainability of orangutan life in Kalimantan. Their success in immediately actively exploring, foraging, and building nests marks the beginning of a truly free new life.
Behind every release lies a journey of resilience. Follow the stories of Marlon, Ames, Dennis, and Catherine as they overcome past trauma and prepare to return to their wild home in the Kehje Sewen Forest with the BOS Foundation.
During Borneo's dry season, forest fires and haze threaten wildlife welfare. To combat smoke and heat, the BOS Foundation utilizes sprinkler systems at Nyaru Menteng to cool environments, settle dust, and protect orangutans.
When habitat changes force sun bears into human settlements, swift rescue efforts are vital. Meet Rose, a young sun bear rescued in a weakened state, now receiving intensive care at Samboja Lestari.
