Candidates For The 42nd Orangutan Release From Nyaru Menteng

As an orphaned male orangutan, Carlos was rescued from Parenggean Village, Kotawaringin Timur Regency, Central Kalimantan, on 6 February 2004. When he arrived at the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre, he was 12 months old and weighed only 2.8 kilograms.

After passing quarantine, Carlos attended Forest School, then proceeded on to the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on Kaja Island on 28 November 2018. While not a dominant figure, Carlos is a clever individual who is able to defend himself when he feels threatened.

Carlos is now 20 years old, and after undergoing a 19-year rehabilitation process at Nyaru Menteng, is ready to explore the Bukit Batikap Protection Forest as a true, wild orangutan.

MELANIE

Melanie was rescued from a resident of Buntok City, Central Kalimantan by a joint team from the BOS Foundation and the Central Kalimantan BKSDA on 26 August 2013. She arrived at Nyaru Menteng when she was only 3.5 years old, weighing 12 kilograms.

At Nyaru Menteng, Melanie joined Forest School after undergoing the mandatory entry quarantine. There she passed all levels with flying colours and entered the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on Salat Island on 30 March 2019. Melanie is a highly curious individual and loves to explore all over the island.

Melanie is now 14 years old, and after 10 years of rehabilitation, is ready for some new adventures in the Bukit Batikap Protection Forest.

CICI

It was on 28 November 2013 when Cici was transferred from the Samboja Lestari Rehabilitation Centre to Nyaru Menteng. Cici had initially been handed over to Samboja Lestari by the DKI Jakarta BKSDA on 8 January 2003, when she was about 3-4 years old. There she grew up to be an independent, dexterous, and highly social orangutan.

By the time she arrived at Nyaru Menteng, Cici had already undergone a 10-year rehabilitation process. At Nyaru Menteng, Cici first underwent another quarantine. On 26 November 2018, she was moved to the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on Kaja Island. Today, Cici is easily irritated and can be quite a dominant female.

Cici, now 24 years old and armed with the skills she learned throughout her rehabilitation, is ready to enjoy true freedom in her new home – the Bukit Batikap Protection Forest.

RAJAWALI

Rajawali was rescued from residents of Palangkaraya City, Central Kalimantan, on 21 November 2011, through a joint operation between the Central Kalimantan BKSDA’s Wildlife Rescue Team and the BOS Foundation. At the time of his rescue, Rajawali was only 12 months old and weighed 4.9 kilograms.

After completing all levels of Forest School at Nyaru Menteng, Rajawali proceeded to the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on Kaja Island on 14 February 2019. On the island, Rajawali was an active, highly alert orangutan who loved to explore. 

After a 12-year rehabilitation process, Rajawali is now 13 years old and is ready to live wild and free in the Bukit Batikap Protection Forest.

OCHIE

Ochie is a female orangutan who was rescued from West Kalimantan on 24 December 2008. She was only two years old at the time of her rescue and weighed 5.7 kilograms.

After passing the quarantine period, Ochie attended Forest School and, on 5 December 2019, was transferred to Bangamat Island. Observational data indicates that Ochie quickly mastered the crucial skills needed to survive and thrive in the forest.

Ochie is now 18 years old. After 15 years of rehabilitation, she will soon be enjoying true freedom alongside her peers in the Bukit Batikap Protection Forest.

JUKI (RELEASED PREVIOUSLY)

Juki was confiscated from a resident in Ketapang, West Kalimantan by the BKSDA on 28 March 2003, together with another orangutan named Susi. Little Juky was 18 months old and weighed 7 kg at the time, and alongside Susi underwent quarantine before entering Forest School. After completing all levels of Forest School, Juki entered the final stage of rehabilitation on Kaja Island. 

Juki is a dominant orangutan. In December 2016, he was released to the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Area (TNBBBR) in the Bemban watershed. However, he consistently and persistently entered populated areas. In order to avoid further conflict with a growingly anxious human population, he was transferred to a rehabilitation centre pre-release island. Juki is finally ready to be released again, this time into the more remote Bukit Batikap Protection Forest. 

BATOLA (RELEASED PREVIOUSLY)

Batola was rescued from Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan and arrived at Nyaru Menteng on 19 December 2007. At the time, he was five years old and weighed 19 kilograms. 

After passing the quarantine period, Batola attended Forest School and worked hard through every stage. As Batola became more aggressive towards technicians and surrogate mothers, BOSF decided to transfer him from Forest School to Kaja Island. On the pre-release island, Batola preferred to be alone and settled in one location. 

Batola was released in 2020 in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park. However, since like Juki, he entered a village area several times, the decision was made to return him to the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre. 

Batola is now 20 years old and weighs 42 kilograms. In a matter of days, Batola will prove he can live as a wild, independent orangutan when he starts his new life in the Bukit Batikap Protection Forest.