The Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation, working alongside the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), and Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR), is preparing for its 47th orangutan release from the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary.
This latest orangutan rehabilitation success will see five rescued orangutans return to the forests of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, strengthening Bornean orangutan conservation and giving these critically endangered apes a second chance in the wild!
Jump to:
A Journey Years in the Making
Releasing an orangutan into the wild is never a quick process. Young orangutans rescued from the illegal pet trade, habitat destruction, or forest fires need to spend years learning the survival skills they would naturally acquire from their mothers. This extensive rehabilitation process is essential for ensuring that every orangutan has the skills needed to survive on their own upon release.
At Nyaru Menteng, they attend "Forest School," or Orangutan Jungle School, as the TV series is called! Here, they learn to climb, build nests, forage for food, and navigate life in the rainforest. Only once they have proven they can survive independently are they moved to pre-release islands before eventually returning to the wild.
The five orangutans about to embark on this next chapter have each taken a unique path to freedom. Find out more about each of them here:
Himba: A Forest Fire Survivor
Himba's story is one of remarkable feats.
He arrived at Nyaru Menteng in October 2011 after being found alone in an area devastated by forest fires. Just five or six months old and weighing only 3.3kg, he had suffered severe burns across much of his body.
Against the odds, Himba recovered and began Forest School in 2014 before progressing to one of the pre-release islands in 2019. During rehabilitation, he developed into an adventurous explorer with an impressive ability to locate natural food, while generally preferring to keep his distance from both people and other orangutans, which is a very healthy sign.
Now aged 15, after 14 years of rehabilitation, Himba is finally ready to reclaim his place in the rainforest!
Nett: From Rescue to Independence
Nett arrived at Nyaru Menteng in 2018 after first being surrendered to the Protect Our Borneo (POB) Foundation. Estimated to be around three years old at the time, he quickly settled into rehabilitation and made excellent progress.
In 2023, he graduated to a pre-release island, where he became known for his sociable personality and strong foraging skills.
Now 11 years old, Nett has spent around six years preparing for this moment and is ready to begin life as a truly wild orangutan.
Lykke: Twenty-Two Years of Perseverance
Lykke's journey has been one of the longest.
She arrived at Nyaru Menteng in 2003 alongside her mother after being rescued from Central Kalimantan. At just one month old, she weighed only 1.3kg and required urgent medical treatment for an injured arm.
Sadly, after recovering, her mother rejected her, meaning Lykke had to grow up without the guidance that young orangutans normally rely upon.
Instead, she learned alongside other orphaned orangutans before progressing to a pre-release island in 2017. Over the years, she developed into a highly independent individual who avoids human contact and excels at finding food in the forest.
Now 23 years old, Lykke is finally ready to begin the life she has spent almost 22 years preparing for.
Farida: An Adventurous Explorer
Rescued in 2011 from Central Kalimantan, Farida quickly proved herself an exceptional explorer.
After completing Forest School, she moved to a pre-release island before being transferred to a different island after repeatedly demonstrating her confidence by exploring beyond the island's boundaries!
Her curiosity has been matched by impressive survival skills, including confidently locating food and defending herself when necessary.
At 19 years old, Farida is now ready to swap rehabilitation for complete freedom in the forests of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
Semeru: Ready for a New Beginning
Semeru arrived at Nyaru Menteng in 2012 as a young orphan, estimated to be around three years old.
Throughout her rehabilitation, she became known for her calm temperament, preferring to avoid people while independently developing excellent foraging abilities.
Having spent around 13 years preparing for life in the wild, the 17-year-old orangutan is now ready to begin the next chapter in her natural forest home.
Why These Releases Matter
Every orangutan release represents far more than a single conservation success story.
Bornean orangutans are listed as Critically Endangered, with populations continuing to decline due to habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and human-wildlife conflict. Through orangutan rehabilitation and carefully managed release programmes, rescued orangutans are given the opportunity to return to protected rainforest, helping to strengthen wild populations and support long-term orangutan conservation in Borneo.
Behind every orangutan release are years of veterinary care, behavioural monitoring, forest education and the dedication of conservationists and volunteers working tirelessly to prepare each individual for life in the wild.
As Himba, Nett, Lykke, Farida and Semeru disappear into the rainforest, they represent not only five lives transformed but another hopeful step for Borneo orangutan conservation and the future of one of the world's most iconic species.
At The Great Projects, we're proud to support ethical orangutan conservation through responsible travel experiences. Our orangutan conservation projects in Borneo give travellers the opportunity to learn about orangutan rehabilitation, meet and help the teams protecting these incredible apes and see first-hand how responsible tourism contributes to the future of orangutans.
Volunteer at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary and help orangutans like Himba, Fairda and more on their way home!
