At the end of 2024, our Post-Release Monitoring (PRM) team encountered an old face in the Bukit Batikap Protected Forest. After years of being untracked since her release in 2015, the female orangutan Mentos was finally identified again. Even more special, she was not alone—Mentos was spotted with her offspring, later named Melly!
Mentos was one of five orangutans released in 2015 alongside Maha, Jatihan, Compost, and Dewi. Since then, she had rarely been monitored until December 2024, when she was found near the Totat Jalu Camp. Initially, the team had difficulty identifying this orangutan. However, after facial feature matching with the database, they confirmed that it was indeed Mentos—now a mother.
On the first day of observation, Mentos and Melly were spotted near the camp at 12:10 PM. They were seen roaming around, with Melly clinging tightly to her mother. She appeared healthy, non-aggressive, and highly curious about her surroundings.
Throughout the observation, Melly was seen learning about food from her mother. She tried chewing on tree bark, closely watching Mentos’ every move, and even sampling lahung (Durio sp.). While she still spent most of her time in her mother’s embrace, Melly was also able to reach trees on her own and explore short distances away from Mentos.
The second day of observation, began at 5:00 AM. Melly was still asleep in the nest with Mentos. By 5:55 AM, they started moving, leaving their nest to head toward a lahung (Durio sp.) tree. Mentos was seen consuming sangkuang (Dracontomelon dao) fruit, spending her morning eating and resting in the trees.
One interesting behaviour noted by the team was the calm demeanour of both Mentos and Melly during the observation. They did not display aggression and often seemed to acknowledge the researchers’ presence. At times, Mentos even approached the PRM team, appearing aware of their presence but maintaining a safe distance.
The rediscovery of Mentos nearly a decade after her release serves as proof that orangutans can successfully adapt to their natural habitat. The presence of Melly as a new generation further strengthens hope for the wild orangutan population in Bukit Batikap.
The PRM team will continue to monitor the progress of Mentos and Melly, ensuring they remain healthy and capable of thriving in the wild. This story is a reminder that orangutan rehabilitation and reintroduction efforts are not just about saving individuals but also about fostering new generations that will help maintain the balance of Borneo’s tropical rainforest ecosystem.
Text by: Communications Team
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