UPDATE FROM FIELD IN THE SOUTH KEHJE SEWEN FOREST

Apart from mother-infant units, orangutans are known to be generally solitary creatures; however, our Post-Release Monitoring team from Nles Mamse camp in the South Kehje Sewen Forest of East Kalimantan has recorded some of our orangutans spending extended periods of time with each other. Bungan and Ajeng are current companions, whilst Leonie, Long, Arief and Hanung have also remained in close contact over the past few weeks, eating and exploring the forest together, almost in a group situation.

It appears that Ajeng finds it difficult to keep up with the quicker and more agile Bungan, yet she still manages to tag along like a little sister, following Bungan wherever she goes.

When she runs out of puff trying to trail Bungan, Ajeng stops and gazes in the direction she has gone; as if willing Bungan to wait for her.

Leoni, Long, Arief and Hanung have been observed eating together in the same tree. The four seem to have a tight social bond.

Long has been a surrogate mother to Arief since they were in the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Rehabilitation Program and we are so pleased to see that they have stayed together after their release.

We are delighted to see the progress made by our released orangutans in the Kehje Sewen Forest. They seem to be living happily in their natural surroundings. We very much hope that all the orangutans at our rehabilitation centers will be able to live like Bungan, Ajeng, Long, Arief, Hanung and Leonie in the future.