Update From IAR - Amy The Orangutan Is Adjusting Rapidly To Her New Life And Making Friends!

Update From IAR - Amy The Orangutan Is Adjusting Rapidly To Her New Life And Making Friends!

Posted by Ellie Hutchin on 9th Jun 2017

Do you remember Amy the orangutan? For years she spent her life chained up and alone in a wooden crate before this innocent and endangered lady was rescued by the team at IAR a few months ago. Now the gorgeous great ape, who has never before seen another of her kind, is rapidly making friends!

When Amy was rescued, she was taken to the rehabilitation centre in Ketapang, where she was placed in the quarantine unit whilst she underwent a series of physical and mental health checks to accurately assess her condition. It is essential the team are fully aware of Amy’s conditions, (even though they were quite harrowing) so they can give her the best and most appropriate treatment, and provide a happy life that Amy never knew could be possible.

rescued orangutans in borneo

The next step from here was to move her to an outdoor enclosure where she could see other orangutans, and begin learning from their examples. Adapting well to her environment, Amy proved to be a fast learner and loved her new diet of fruits and vegetables! Sometimes she was unsure of some unfamiliar foods, but to solve this problem she looked around at the other orangutans to see if they were tucking into the food for reassurance.

Within a week, Amy was completely adjusted to her new life in the outdoors, so the team decided to move her to an enclosure that was directly next door to another orangutan. Heribertus Suciadi, a member of IAR’s Indonesian team, described how Amy responded to this new experience;

orangutans in borneo

“Amy’s response was quite amazing. She was curious about her new neighbour and tried to reach through and touch her. She clearly wanted to play with her new friend. She enjoyed all the enrichment we gave her and ate everything she was offered. She loves not only banana, orange and papaya but also cassava, cucumber, pineapple, watermelon and many more!”

Soon enough, Amy was ready to venture into the forest to meet other orangutans face to face. One of the several artificial islands at IAR that home orangutans undergoing rehabilitation for reintroduction to the wild, would be Amy’s new and pristine environment. Setrum island was chosen as the most appropriate home for Amy because on this island, the orangs aren’t too big or boisterous for Amy to handle.

Heribertus continues;

“The moving day was quite extraordinary. Amy doesn’t like people to touch her so she walked to Setrum Island unaided – but with the team there to guide her. She paused for a while to look around her and seemed fascinated by the trees. When she finally reached the island, Amy’s new friends were already waiting for her. They tried to smell her and some of them touched her inquisitively. Amy didn’t mind this at all; this was a new beginning for her and she was so happy to meet her new friends. She even started to climb a tree and slowly explore the forest. She seemed to have no problem moving around. She was just enjoying her new-found freedom out in the forest where she belongs.”

images of orangutans playing

The inspirational work of the team at IAR really helps to open peoples eyes to the needs and benefits of wildlife conservation. A poor orphaned orangutan who spent the first years of her life chained up, alone and hidden from the world, is now trailing through the vibrancy of the rainforest and interacting with others of her kind.

The IAR Orangutan Project does have some last minute availability, so if you are interested in paying Amy and her new best friends a visit, then view the project on our last minute page!


Share this Article...

Share this article with your friends and followers by using the social media buttons below.


Leave a Comment...

Wanting to add something to this story or just let us know your thoughts? Just leave your comments below. Please be aware that all comments will be moderated: abusive behaviour or self-promotion will not be allowed.

500 characters remaining

Has this blog inspired you to volunteer? If so, why not enquire today? Simply fill out an enquiry form, and allow a member of our travel team to assist with your query! Please note that blog comments are not monitored by the travel team, so any questions related to bookings may be missed.


Featured Blog Arcticles


Featured Videos


Experience The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary

See what you could get up to as a volunteer at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary! This volunteer project offers you the chance to get up close and personal with some of the country's most iconic species.

Discover The Great White Shark Project

Come face to face with one of the world’s most misunderstood predators whilst aiding great white shark conservation. As a volunteer, not only will you get the incredible opportunity to dive with sharks, but you will also assist the team in raising awareness of the great white as you work alongside tourists and local school children to provide them with knowledge of the local environment and the importance of living in harmony with South Africa’s marine life.

Volunteers Review Their Experience at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Volunteers talk about their recent experience at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary in Borneo.

Latest Blog Arcticles


The Team Returns - James & Lauren's South Africa Experience

The Team Returns - James & Lauren's South Africa Experience

Lauren and James have returned and are ready to relay tales...

The Great Projects On Tour: Upcoming Staff Trips

The Great Projects On Tour: Upcoming Staff Trips

Team members Lauren and James, joined colleague Georgia to...

Lynne's Top Tips For Volunteering at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Lynne's Top Tips For Volunteering at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Volunteer Lynne Coe shares her valuable tips on what to...

10 More Orangutans Released Back Into The Wild From Nyaru Menteng!

10 More Orangutans Released Back Into The Wild From Nyaru Menteng!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Borneo...

Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary May Update

Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary May Update

The Great Projects volunteer coordinators, Matt and Niamh,...

Latest At The Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Latest At The Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

The Great Projects' volunteer coordinators Matt and Niamh...

Volunteer Update From Samboja In April 2023

Volunteer Update From Samboja In April 2023

As the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Project begins once again...

Inge’s Experience at the Harnas Wildlife Sanctuary

Inge’s Experience at the Harnas Wildlife Sanctuary

Inge volunteered at the Harnas Wildlife Sanctuary in...


Where you can go
Contact Info
UK Office
The Great Traveller Ltd,
3 Dairy Yard
Star Street
Ware, Hertfordshire
SG12 7DX
United Kingdom

Opening hours:
   Mon-Fri 8:30am–5:30pm
   Sat 10am-4pm

T: +44(0) 208 885 4987