MOZA’S JOURNEY FROM KUWAIT TO MOTHERHOOD ON KAJA ISLAND
On September 13, 2015, a two-year-old female orangutan began a long journey back to Indonesia. The young orangutan was later named Moza.
It is not only the Kehje Sewen Forest in East Kalimantan that is home to exotic hornbills - our monitoring team on Juq Kehje Swen Island, located about 10 kilometres from the edge of the Kehje Sewen Forest, has also found hornbills nesting there. Juq Kehje Swen, a manmade forested island covering an area of 82.84 hectares, was developed through a collaborative effort involving the BOS Foundation and PT. Nusaraya Agro Palm Oil (NUSA).
The island is utilised to accommodate orangutans undergoing the pre-release stage of rehabilitation.Hornbills, known locally as enggang or julang, belong to the Bucerotidae bird family. The scientific term ‘buceros’, referring to the shape of this bird’s bill, means ‘cow horn’ in Greek. Indeed, the easiest way to identify a hornbill is by its large, brightly-coloured and distinctively-shaped bill. Other unique hornbill traits include its large body, impressive call, and the loud flapping sound it makes when flying through the forest.
While on patrol observing orangutans, our team members have spotted several types of hornbill on the island: rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros), oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), black hornbill (Antracoceros malayanus), wreathed hornbill (Aceros undulatus), wrinkled hornbill (Aceros corrugatus) and bushy-crested hornbill (Anorrhinus galeritus).
Hornbills not only play an important role in maintaining the quality of forest ecosystems; they also hold a unique position in local Dayak culture. For the Dayak community, the hornbill is a symbol of purity, power, and strength. This is clearly illustrated in traditional Dayak dances, in which costumes are embellished with hornbill feathers.
Dayak people also believe they can communicate with their ancestors through hornbills, and that the natural spirit protecting the island of Borneo appears in the form of a legendary giant hornbill known as Panglima Burung, or the ‘Bird Commander’. This beautiful big bird simply cannot be separated from the time-honoured traditions and culture of Kalimantan’s Dayak people.
On September 13, 2015, a two-year-old female orangutan began a long journey back to Indonesia. The young orangutan was later named Moza.
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.
