In June 2017, local government officials from BKSDA informed the Foundation that a young male orangutan had been kept as a pet in a cage and confiscated from a nearby village. Entrusted into the care of the Orangutan Foundation, our veterinary team quickly examined the infant, named Bumi, who was estimated to be around three and a half years old.

Under inspection it was discovered that Bumi, a name that in English means ‘Earth’, tragically had gun pellets lodged in his skin. It’s uncertain how Bumi received these injuries, but likely that he had been shot during his separation from his mother. Fortunately, our expert team where able to remove seven gun pellets from Bumi’s body (as seen below), and he successfully entered into the Foundation’s soft-release programme for orphaned orangutans in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.

Alongside Endut and Satria at Camp Rasak, in the soft-release programme Bumi has been able to practice pivotal skills such as nest-building, climbing, and searching for food in the natural environment of the forest. A fast learner, Bumi quickly began showcasing his nest-building ability from a young age in his enclosure.

Bumi’s progress from when he first arrived has developed remarkably well. Now at around seven years of age he is growing into a strong young male orangutan, confident climbing and searching for food in the trees, and capable of building large sturdy nests.

Under the close watch of our field team, Bumi has even been able to stay out overnight to become more habituated to forest conditions. Not all conditions however, as when it rains Bumi will often run back to shelter in the safety of camp. Once truly independent, he will be ready to be released.

Following his latest medical check-up, Bumi was given the all-clear for potential illnesses such as Hepatitis, and received supplementary vitamins to help him stay healthy. With this clean bill of health it could be only a matter of time until Bumi will be released into the forest. This is a tremendous achievement for this spirited young orangutan, especially taking into account his difficult early life as a pet.