As 2025 drew to a close, the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS Foundation) carried out the relocation of two orangutans from the Individual Enclosure Complex to Sanctuary Island #5 at the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. This relocation is part of BOS Foundation’s ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of unreleasable orangutans as individuals who, for various reasons, cannot be returned to the wild. Two of the relocated orangutans, Jujun and Vera, had previously been prepared to transition into a more natural living environment.
Before the relocation took place, Sanctuary Island #5 remained uninhabited for approximately five months. During this period, extensive maintenance and facility upgrades were carried out to ensure the island was safe, healthy, and suitable for orangutan habitation.
These preparations included the construction of wooden feeding platforms, repairs and additions to enrichment furniture, and the installation of new enrichment structures designed to encourage natural orangutan behaviours. The island also underwent two rounds of full disinfection, alongside soil and water sample testing to confirm healthy environmental conditions.
In addition, the team conducted thorough cleaning of the island’s interior and surrounding waterways, including the removal of moss that could negatively affect habitat quality. All of these steps form part of BOS Foundation’s strict standards for island readiness prior to orangutan occupancy.
On 10 December 2025, once Sanctuary Island #5 was declared fully prepared, the relocation process began. The transfers were carried out gradually by the technical team using boats to ensure the safety and well-being of the orangutans.
Vera was the first individual to be relocated. Prior to the transfer, she underwent a comprehensive health examination, including X-rays, eye and dental checks, bronchoalveolar lavage sampling, blood tests, nasopharyngeal swabs, and the installation of a contraceptive implant as part of population management.
The relocation of Jujun followed. In addition to the same set of medical examinations, body measurements were also taken to complete his health records.
For Vera, living on an Orangutan Sanctuary Island was not a new experience. She had previously resided on Sanctuary Island #4 before being moved back to the Individual Enclosure Complex during island maintenance.
Jujun’s story, however, is different. This relocation marked his very first experience living on an Orangutan Island. Jujun is a male orangutan surrendered by local residents in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, when he was approximately 4–5 years old. Since his arrival at Wanariset and later transfer to Samboja Lestari, Jujun has spent most of his life living in enclosures.
Jujun has also had a history of respiratory issues, specifically Orangutan Respiratory Disease Syndrome (ORDS), since 2017. Fortunately, his condition has remained stable, with no signs of relapse up to 2025. Now at 27 years old, Jujun’s move to Sanctuary Island #5 represents a meaningful new beginning; an opportunity to breathe freely and experience a more natural environment without the barriers of enclosure bars.
The relocation of orangutans to sanctuary islands reflects BOS Foundation’s continued commitment to improving the quality of life for orangutans under its care. This commitment includes providing unreleasable orangutans with a second chance to live as true orangutans in a semi-wild environment, where they can express natural behaviours in a safe and enriched habitat.
Text by: Communications Team at Samboja Lestari, East Kalimantan
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