4 Orangutans to be released from the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Centre

Posted by Michael Starbuck on 17th Oct 2016

Today at The Great Projects we are very happy to share the fantastic news that the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS Foundation) will be releasing 4 more orangutans back into the rainforests of Borneo. This will be the 9 ^th orangutan release in the past few years, following 8 successful prior releases and hopefully many more to come from Samboja Lestari, the home of the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Project.

The release will involve the team and the 4 orangutans travelling hundreds of miles into the Kehje Sewen Forest before their eventual release. They will then be monitored by BOS Foundations dedicated team to ensure all goes well and they are able to use all of the skills they have learnt through their rehabilitation at Samboja Lestari.

As soon as the release has taken place we will be sharing some video footage, pictures and updates so you will be able to see how they are getting on but until then please take a look at the unique profiles of the soon to be wild orangutans Rafli, Saprol, Jamur and J-Lo.

1. Rafli

Rafli was rescued in Sebulu, an area in East Kalimantan that was severely damaged by forest fires nearly 20 years ago and was brought to Samboja Lestari on February 14, 2005, when he was 13 years old.

Due to his behaviour at the time of his rescue it was clear Rafli had never been in captivity and after spending time within a socialisation area with 2 other orangutans (Elisan and Juri) he was re-located to a pre-release orangutan island in 2015. He quickly adapted to island life learning survival skills through exploring, climbing trees, building nests and actively foraging.

Now at 24 years of age, weighing 75kg and after spending 11 years at the Samboja Lestari Rehabilitation Centre, Rafli will soon taste freedom in the wilds of the Kehje Sewen Forest.

2. Saprol

Saprol was rescued together with his mother Inul, in the Sebulu area of the Kutai Kartanegara Regency on May 11, 2006. Tragically, Inul came to Samboja Lestari with fatal injuries and a distraught Saprol clinging desperately to her. Sadly, Inul’s injuries were so severe that she could not be saved, leaving Saprol orphaned. Luckily, however, he was able to be raised by BOS Foundation’s dedicated carers.

Together with Jamur, Jlo, Sarmi, Nila and others, Saprol, like Rafli, was relocated to one of the centres’ manmade pre-release islands at Samboja Lestari. He was moved with two mother-infant pairs and one of the mothers, Sarmi, who is now living in the Kehje Sewen Forest, took care of Saprol who became a brother to Sani, her daughter.

Saprol is now 11 years old and weighs 38kg. This dark haired male with a thick reddish beard will soon live an independent life in the Kehje Sewen Forest, where perhaps he may meet up with his surrogate mother Sarmi.

3. Jamur

On November 1,1998, Jamur was rescued in a joint team effort between the East Kalimantan BKSDA and the BOS Foundation and was 4 years old when she arrived at Samboja Lestari.

Stocky Jamur with her thick hair and round eyes, gave birth to her first daughter, J-Lo on March 5, 2006.

Although she grew up in a rehabilitation centre without the guidance of her own mother, Jamur turned out to be a good mother to J-Lo, who is now 10 years old.

Jamur is now 22 years old and will soon be released to the Kehje Sewen Forest alongside her daughter J-Lo, who has been living on her own for a number of years.

4. J-Lo

J-Lo was born on March 5, 2006 and unlike a lot of orangutans who come to Samboja Lestari orphaned, she was raised by her mother, Jamur, from birth and learned from her all the knowledge and skills necessary for survival in the wild.

J-Lo has already mastered building nests, identifying natural predators and foraging for forest foods. She dislikes human presence and kiss-squeaks when she sees or senses people approaching which is fantastic for all release candidates.

Now 10 years old, the beautiful J-Lo is ready to go with her mother, Jamur, and her best friend, Saprol, to live an independent and free life in Kehje Sewen Forest.

These are just some of the many amazing stories at the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Centre and as the BOS Foundation moves forward it hopes to release many more orangutans back into the wild.

As mentioned before please do check back for an update on the release itself and if you would like to find out more about the project and how volunteers help with the work that BOS Foundation do at Samboja Lestari please click here or find out more about the BOS Foundation and other ways in which you can help.

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