We’re excited to share amazing news from the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary! Seven orangutans are currently en route to Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR) to be released back into the wild! This marks the 46th orangutan release from the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre, and is cause for celebration, marking another huge milestone in orangutan conservation and rehabilitation efforts.
All seven orangutans, like the many before them, have undergone years of rehabilitation, which includes receiving enrichment and care from our volunteers. We're grateful to have a role in helping these incredible apes return to the lives they were meant to have. Without further ado, let's meet the lucky seven returning to the forest:
Meet Momot
Momot, a male orangutan, was rescued from a resident in a village in Central Kalimantan. He arrived at Nyaru Menteng in February 2015, at just 1.5 years old and weighing 3.2kg. After completing quarantine and Forest School, he advanced to the pre-release stage on Salat Island in June 2023.
Momot is independent and adventurous, displaying advanced food foraging skills, including a variety of food-processing techniques such as peeling, scraping, breaking open, and biting. Now 12 years old and weighing 24kg, he is ready to explore the forest after 11 long years of rehabilitation.
Meet Ficz
Ficz was rescued from a palm oil plantation in Palangka Raya. He arrived at Nyaru Menteng in March 2007 as a tiny three-month-old weighing just 1.7 kg. Following a lengthy rehabilitation journey, he moved to Badak Besar Island in June 2022 for his pre-release stage.
Ficz is an adaptable and independent orangutan, moving gracefully through the trees with both powerful swings and careful climbs. Like his wild counterparts, he rarely sets foot on the ground. Now 18 years old and weighing an impressive 45kg, Ficz is finally ready to return to the forest after what seems like a lifetime of care.
Meet Wibowo
Wibowo arrived at Nyaru Menteng in December 2015, at about two years of age and weighing 5.4 kg. After completing quarantine and Forest School, he reached the pre-release stage on Badak Besar Island in October 2022.
He is a highly alert orangutan who loves to explore, often climbing up to 15 meters vertically. His foraging skills are diverse, demonstrating mastery in locating and preparing a wide range of foods. Now 12 years old and 42kg, he is ready to embark on his new life alongside the six other orangutans.
Meet Otan
Otan, a male orangutan rescued in Buntok, arrived at Nyaru Menteng in February 2015. He was just 1.5 years old and weighed 5.2 kg. After completing Forest School, he advanced to the pre-release stage on Bangamat Island in December 2023.
Otan is an intrepid explorer with strong skills in finding natural foods such as fruits, leaves, seeds, and bark. His nest-building abilities reflect advanced arboreal intelligence, comparable to that of wild orangutans. Now 12 years old and weighing 33.5kg, Otan is ready for life in the wild.
Meet Putri
Putri, a female orangutan, was rescued from the Katingan Regency. She arrived at Nyaru Menteng in February 2007, weighing 2.3kg, and was estimated to be around three months old. After completing rehabilitation, she entered the pre-release stage on Salat Island in April 2017.
Putri is sociable, capable of defending herself, and demonstrates impressive nest-building and climbing skills, frequently reaching heights of 10 to 15 meters. Now 18 years old and 30.6kg, she is ready to embrace her new life.
Meet Kapuan
Kapuan's story is more unusual and extraordinary than the other orangutans. In November 2006, Kapuan, along with 47 other orangutans, arrived at Nyaru Menteng after being repatriated from a circus in Thailand. This was one of the largest repatriations of great apes to ever occur, made possible only after years of intense negotiations. When arriving in Palangkaraya, they were welcomed by activist and former First Lady of Indonesia Kristiani Yudhoyono.
Kapuan arrived at the rehabilitation centre at 6.5 years old and weighing 22 kg. She underwent a lengthy and challenging quarantine and rehabilitation process due to her years of abuse in the circus. Despite the odds, Kapuan moved to Badak Kecil Island in May 2022. She demonstrated her high adaptability, foraging skills, and a wide range of climbing abilities. Now 26 years old and 31.7kg, she is finally prepared to return to her rightful home.
Meet Berunay
Berunay, a female orangutan, was rescued in Palangka Raya. She arrived at Nyaru Menteng in December 2004, at around two years old and weighing 3.5kg. After rehabilitation, she reached the pre-release stage on Kaja Island in April 2017.
Berunay is adventurous, with excellent climbing abilities and diverse food exploration skills. She spends most of her time in the canopy and rarely on the ground. Now 23 years old and 45kg, she is ready to take her long-awaited steps into freedom in the protected national park.
A New Chapter
This monumental release was made possible by the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation, the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA). Each release brings us closer to restoring wild orangutan populations across Borneo.
Celebrate this milestone with us by volunteering at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary. If you secure your place on any date before November 30th, you'll receive 15% off!
Be part of orangutan conservation in action.
