The morning mist still hung lightly over the forest canopy as our Post-Release Monitoring (PRM) team began their routine patrol in the Bemban River watershed, part of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR).
In between these activities, the team also checked several points that are often used as travel routes by released orangutans. One name that frequently came up in conversation among the team was Otan, a male orangutan who had been released in November 2025. Since his release, Otan had rarely been seen directly. It was as if he had disappeared into the dense forest of TNBBBR.
But that morning, the forest offered a pleasant surprise.
As the team walked along the transect, precisely at the 0-meter point near the banks of the Bemban River, they spotted a familiar figure. Among the tree branches, Otan appeared relaxed while enjoying his breakfast.
He was picking and eating sangkuang fruit, seemingly undisturbed by the presence of observers watching from a distance.
Seeing Otan in a healthy and active condition was certainly encouraging news. The team quickly adjusted its plan for the day. Their focus shifted to following Otan’s activities and documenting how he was living his life in the wild.
At 09:10 AM, full observation began. From that moment on, Otan demonstrated just how well he had adapted to the forest environment. He appeared to have a strong understanding of the food resources available around him. That day, his diet was quite varied, including sangkuang, ficus, lunuk dango liau, as well as other plant parts such as orchids, tree bark, and fresh rattan shoots.
Otan’s behaviour also showed an interesting development. During the early period after his release, he spent most of his time in the trees. Now, however, he appeared far more dynamic. Throughout the day, Otan descended to the forest floor several times and moved along natural paths beneath the canopy. Now, his movements were confident and steady.
From the point where he was first encountered near the Bemban River, Otan traveled approximately 1,200 meters that day. He crossed shrubs, fallen logs, and forest ground with determination, indicating he had begun to understand his home range very well.
While observing, our PRM team continued their other patrol activities: recording the presence of food trees, observing signs of other wildlife, and ensuring that the area remained safe from human disturbances. These activities are an essential part of efforts to maintain a secure habitat for wildlife living in the forest.
As the afternoon approached, after a full day of exploring and foraging along the Bemban River, Otan began to slow his movements. His natural instincts guided him to find a place to rest for the night. He began to build his night nest from branches and leaves high in the tree. Slowly, the nest took shape. Beneath the forest canopy that was gradually dimming with the evening light, Otan prepared to end his day in peace.
For our PRM team, the encounter that day was more than just a moment of luck. Seeing Otan move freely, find his own food, and build a nest in the forest was clear evidence that the release process had been successful.
Otan is no longer a resident of a rehabilitation center. He has become part of the forest as a true explorer from the upper Bemban River, living independently in his natural home.
Text by: PRM Team at Lewun Kahiu Monitoring Camp, TNBBBR, Central Kalimantan
Will you help us rescue, rehabilitate, and release orangutans back to freedom? We can only save the orangutan together. Thank you!
