Over the Easter Parliamentary break, Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) UK and the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) hosted a cross-party delegation of six UK Members of Parliament. The purpose of the visit was simple but powerful: to provide first-hand insight into Indonesia’s rainforest and orangutan conservation efforts through an immersive experience with Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation.
As BOS Foundation CEO Dr Jamartin Sihite put it, “Seeing is believing.” Over an intensive five-day programme, the delegation witnessed the scale and complexity of protecting and restoring tropical rainforests and the extraordinary effort required to rebuild orangutan populations in partnership with local communities.
MP Helena Dollimore planting a tree
Into the Peatlands
The delegation’s journey began at BOS Foundation’s working site in Sebangau National Park. Travelling during the dry season meant low water levels, and delegates undertook a six-hour round trip by narrow wooden boats to reach the project area. Bottoms were sore, but spirits were high!
Once there, they learned about peatland restoration, specifically the vital work of dam blocking to rehydrate land that had been drained for agriculture. Pulling on rubber boots, they waded through knee-deep peat to see the results firsthand: re-wetted landscapes beginning to recover, with forest regeneration already underway. It was a vivid demonstration of how degraded ecosystems can be brought back to life.
MP Barry Gardiner and his wife Caroline Smith in a ces boat
Orangutans on the Edge of Freedom
The following day, the group travelled by boat again to the Salat Island Cluster, which are Pre-Release Islands where rehabilitated orangutans take their final steps before returning to the wild. As they had met all testing and quarantine requirements, two of the delegates got the rare opportunity to lift the cage door for orangutans, Peanut and Lanting, transitioning from Forest School to the Pre-Release Islands. It was an unforgettable moment for us all.
MP Kerry McCarthy releasing Lanting
The site is managed in collaboration with a Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) member company, highlighting how conservation and industry can work together. Here, discussions focused on the global palm oil market and the importance of increasing demand for sustainably produced palm oil. Without this, companies investing in conservation struggle to compete. Delegates also explored the immense complexity behind rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintroducing orphaned orangutans, many of whom have lost their mothers due to deforestation.
Communities at the Heart of Conservation
That afternoon, the delegation visited a local Dayak community working in partnership with BOS Foundation. The community sustainably grows crops, manages tree nurseries, and produces forest honey—all without harming the surrounding rainforest.
Community crops in the shade
In the evening, delegates watched Eyes of the Orangutan, a documentary produced in collaboration with BOS Foundation. The film offers a stark look at the illegal wildlife trade and the exploitation of orangutans, many of whom are trafficked internationally after being taken from the wild.
Science, Culture, and Forests
Day three brought no respite, with an early journey to the Tuanan Research Station, located within the vast Mawas Conservation Area.
The delegation was welcomed by another Dayak community through a traditional ceremony, including dance, prayer, and symbolic rituals. They were also presented with handwoven rattan bags, which can be harvested sustainably without damaging the forest.
Traditional Dayak dance
At the research centre, scientists shared ongoing collaborations with international universities to better understand Bornean orangutans. Delegates then entered the forest once more, experiencing the richness of a healthy primary peat swamp forest. They also learned of the adjacent degraded areas under restoration, part of BOS Foundation’s long-term effort to support a wild population of approximately 2,550 orangutans and help it grow.
Dr. Roz Savage trekking around Tuanan Research Station
A Second Chance for Orphans
The final field day took place at the Nyaru Menteng Rescue Centre, one of the world’s largest orangutan rehabilitation facilities. Here, delegates witnessed the dedication of BOS staff as they care for orphaned orangutans through nursery and Forest School programmes, preparing them for life in the wild.
They also saw individuals still waiting for a life away from enclosures. These are orangutans who are ready for Sanctuary Islands that remain underfunded, and many of them were part of a major repatriation effort from Thailand. You can learn more in Eyes of the Orangutan.
Policy, Partnership, and the Bigger Picture
This visit included discussions with Indonesia’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) on a new landscape-level conservation approach in Central Kalimantan. It’s one that integrates biodiversity protection within agricultural concessions.
That evening, the delegation was hosted by the Governor of Central Kalimantan. During the dinner, lead MP Barry Gardiner spoke about the shared responsibility of the UK and Indonesia to protect peatlands and restore forests for biodiversity, climate stability, and future generations.
Dinner with the Governor of Central Kalimantan
The final day in Jakarta focused on high-level meetings with Indonesian government officials, exploring how both countries can strengthen collaboration across conservation, policy, trade, and sustainable development.
From Awareness to Action
In their closing reflections, delegates expressed a common sentiment: while they had been aware of these issues before, “seeing was not just believing, it was understanding.” The scale of the challenge—and the dedication of BOS Foundation staff required to meet it—was far greater than they had imagined. There are few issues left in modern politics that can still claim genuine bipartisan appeal, and, after this trip, it was clear that orangutan and rainforest conservation can unite parties on a common goal.
All six MPs left with a strong commitment to support progress in protecting orangutans and the extraordinary biodiversity of Indonesia’s rainforests. Just as importantly, they recognised the opportunity to deepen the partnership between the UK and Indonesia, working together to advance conservation through better policy, stronger advocacy, and more sustainable trade.
We are now working closely with each delegate to identify the most effective next steps, and we look forward to sharing updates as this collaboration develops.
The Rt. Hon Graham Stuart at Tuanan Research Center
A Final Thank You
This delegation trip took place over a holiday period, and we are deeply grateful to the MPs listed below who gave up time with their families to endure long flights, hard boat rides, and strenuous trekking in humid tropical conditions to participate. We are also forever thankful for the generous individual who covered the expenses for this eye-opening week.
MPs with BOS Foundation CEO Dr. Jamartin Sihite
Barry Gardiner MP (Labour) – Lead MP for Delegation
Barry is the MP for Brent West, having first been elected in 1997. He has previously served as Minister for Biodiversity and in opposition as Shadow Energy Secretary and Shadow Minister for International Climate Change. He now chairs the International Conservation APPG.
The Rt. Hon Graham Stuart MP (Conservative)
Graham is the MP for Beverly and Holderness, having first been elected in 2005. He served as a minister under Prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak, holding portfolios as Minister of State for Europe and Minister of State for Energy and Net Zero. He is a member of the APPG on International Conservation and Chair of the APPG on Indonesia.
Dr Roz Savage MP (Liberal Democrat)
Dr Savage is the MP for the South Cotswolds, having first been elected to Parliament in 2024. Prior to her election, Dr Savage was a public campaigner for ocean conservation, raising awareness about the plight of marine ecosystems by physically rowing across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. She was awarded an MBE by the Queen in 2013 for her services to marine conservation. Dr Savage is Vice Chair of the APPG on International Conservation and a member of the Environmental Audit Committee.
Kerry McCarthy MP (Labour)
Kerry is the MP for Bristol East, having first been elected in 2005. Before being elected to Parliament, Kerry was a qualified solicitor and served in senior roles in various leading companies, including Merryl Lynch and Luton Airport. She served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Climate and in opposition as Shadow Climate Minister and Shadow Secretary of State for DEFRA. Kerry is a member of the APPG on International Conservation and a former member of the Environmental Audit Committee and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.
Blake Stephenson MP (Conservative)
Blake is the MP for Mid-Bedfordshire, being first elected to Parliament in 2024. Before being elected, Blake was a barrister who focused on financial compliance. He held roles at the Financial Service Authority, NASDAQ, and the London Stock Exchange. Blake is a member of the APPG on International Conservation and the Environmental Audit Committee.
Helena Dollimore MP (Labour)
Helena is the MP for Hastings and Rye, having first been elected in 2024. Before being elected to Parliament, Helena worked in international development for Save the Children and as a senior manager in global sustainability at Unilever. She is a member of the APPG on International Conservation, the APPG on Oceans, and a former member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.
Text by: BOS-UK/USA
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