Orangutan Stories: Brian

One might think that when an orangutan is rescued and released into the wild- it’s plain sailing from thereon in. For inexperienced orangutans like Brian however, it can take a while to find your feet in the challenging life of the forest.

Brian was originally rescued as a pet. The whereabouts of his mother are unknown.

In 2009, after quarantine Brian was brought to Camp Gemini in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve by government officials (BKSDA) so that he would have the opportunity to integrate into the surrounding orangutan population. At three years old and without his mother to learn from, Brian needed a role-model to help him adapt to this new environment. Fortunately, female orangutan Rosa did not have an infant of her own at the time and showed compassion in taking Brian under her wing. Together they formed a strong pair, and from his surrogate mother Brian was taught the basic forest skills required to survive in the forest.

Rosa & Brian

Brian

Rosa & Brian

Brian

Rosa & Brian at camp

Rosa & Brian at camp

Brian

Rosa & Brian released into the forest

After two years, Rosa gave birth to an infant of her own and began venturing into the forest without Brian in tow. He may have been jealous of Rosa’s new arrival, but it was the push Brian needed to roam the forest independently and become confident in the trees. It wasn’t long until he crossed paths with a larger wild orangutan named Bangkal who has been the dominant male in this area of the Reserve for many years. To his credit Brian did not back down, but following a confrontation with Bangkal, our field team decided that it would be beneficial for Brian to be translocated elsewhere in the forest for his own safety.

Wild male orangutans cover large areas, sometimes hundreds of acres of habitat as they search for a mate or fruiting tree. It’s therefore quite common for their ranges to overlap with other males, leading to quarrels from time to time.

After his relocation to Camp Buluh, Brian was sadly involved in another fracas with a wild male in 2019. Not learning his lesson from his previous encounter, Brian perhaps acted more bravely than he should have and had an unfortunate run-in with wild male Yoko. During this clash Brian suffered severe injuries to his head, body, and arms, resulting in him requiring some emergency treatment and minor surgery from our vet. Despite the slight dent in confidence, with some time to lick his wounds Brian soon made a full recovery and was able to get back in the trees where he belongs.

Our team decided that another relocation to Camp JL would be the best fit for Brian’s return to the forest as there would be fewer competition with dominant males. Now Brian has adapted to this new area of the forest and seems to happily swing in the trees around camp and across the river. His story shows how challenging life in the forest can be for orangutans that are still learning, and also how resilient this critically endangered great ape can be.

Brian has overcome many challenges and is now thriving at Camp JL

Orangutan Stories: Bumi

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.

Orangutan Stories: Nyunyu

One of five orphaned orangutans at Camp JL within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Nyunyu has progressed tremendously since her introduction to the Foundation’s soft-release programme in 2017.

At around 3½ years old, Nyunyu was discovered being kept as a pet before being handed over to our team in the town of Sampit, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Without a mother to learn from, entering a programme to learn and develop essential forest skills was critical for Nyunyu so that she could have the best possible chance of a successful future in the wild.

Our team transport Boy (left), Mona (middle), and Nyunyu (right) from their overnight enclosures into the forest.

Today, Nyunyu shares Camp JL with fellow orangutans Boy, Mona, Timtom, and Adib. These young primates are regularly brought into the forest by our assistants to practice skills such as climbing, nest-building, and foraging for food.

Our teams frequently observe Nyunyu eating bark, fruits, and ants in the trees, but had never seen her building a nest- until now. Recently we spotted her bending tree branches and eating the young leaves, as per usual, however she then began arranging the vegetation into the shape of a nest for the very first time. A breakthrough moment for the learning great ape!

As it was Nyunyu’s first ever attempt at building a nest, it is fair to say that it was not as strong as it could be. Nevertheless, this is a wonderful sign that Nyunyu’s forest skills are developing and she’s continuing to grow in confidence.

Initially she was only content testing her abilities in the trees around camp, but now Nyunyu is capable of going deeper into the forest to climb and explore new areas of habitat.

Will practice make perfect for Nyunyu’s nest-building ability? Only time will tell, but our team will continue to monitor her progress and are very pleased with the growth she has made thus far. We are hopeful that Nyunyu has the potential to join the many orangutan graduates of the soft-release programme and be released into the Reserve one day.

It’s never easy for a young primate to adjust from a life in a cage to one in the forest, but Nyunyu is a prime example of a rescued orangutan on the right path to a successful independent future in the wild.

Orangutan Stories: Betli

This month we focus our attention on orangutan mother Betli; a well-known face to our field staff in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Indonesian Borneo.

This tropical forest is home to around 600 critically endangered orangutans, roughly half of which are reintroduced having been ex-captive or rescued. From our forest camps we monitor as many of these great apes as possible to ensure that the population remains healthy, and our team recently observed that Betli has wonderfully added one more precious infant to the growing number of orangutans in the Reserve.

Betli and her new baby take a rest on the forest floor.

As an entirely wild orangutan her exact age is unknown, but it’s thought that Betli was around 7 years of age when first sighted by our field team at Camp Buluh in 2009. Since then she has gone on to care for three other infants, with her newest arrival her fourth offspring.

Berlane is Betli’s oldest son, and is still observed from time to time foraging in the forest.

Like many new orangutan mother’s, Betli is protective of her baby. This means that although some magnificent photos have been taken of the pair, our team haven’t yet been able to identify the sex of the infant. Most importantly Betli and her young appear healthy and we look forward to keeping an eye on their progress in the forest.

Following Betli’s and Passion’s latest arrivals, it appears we will end 2020 having recorded an astonishing seven orangutan births in just 12 months. This number of orangutan arrivals in such a short space of time has never been witnessed before by our team, and emphasizes how important this protected habitat is for the future of this critically endangered species.

Bursting with life - Mammals

Despite covering around 6% of Earth’s land surface, it’s estimated that tropical rainforests are home to 80% of our planet’s terrestrial biodiversity. These diverse forests are truly bursting with life, and within Tanjung Puting National Park and the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in Indonesian Borneo, there are prime examples of this rich habitat.

During their work in the forest, our field teams spot orangutans and other primates in the trees, and yet they rarely see other Mammals as many tend to venture out at night. The elusiveness of many mammalian species in the forest means that the only time our team observe them is on remote camera traps or during wildlife rescues. Some of these fascinating species include:

Sunda Clouded Leopard - Neofelis diardi - Like orangutans, this species of leopard is native to the tropical forests of Borneo and Sumatra. Very little is known about the behaviour of these nocturnal and predatory cats due to their elusive nature, however we do know that their canine teeth are longer than any other cat species in relation to their body size, and their long tail helps with balance as they navigate through the tree tops and forest floor.

The main threat to these iconic forest cats is habitat loss; another trait shared with orangutans. Listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List, there are only an estimated 4,500 individuals remaining in the wild.

Sun Bear - Helarctos malayanus - This is the only bear found in South East Asia and the smallest of all the 8 bear species. Their smaller size means that they are perfectly suited to an arboreal life and their long claws and tongue are ideal for feeding on insects and honey in the trees.

The name ‘Sun Bear’ comes from the pale patch of fur on their chests which is said to resemble a rising or setting sun. Each pattern is unique like a human fingerprint, helping to distinguish one individual from another.

Malayan Civet - Viverra tangalunga - These small omnivorous mammals roam its forest habitat at night in the search for fruit, insects, and anything else it can find to eat. Although largely solitary, it's thought that civets use scent as a way of remotely communicating with one another amongst the dense vegetation by rubbing themselves on trees and the leaves on the forest floor.

Asian Small-clawed Otter - Aonyx cinereus - Rarely observed in the forest’s network of rivers as they tend to search for their food at night, these otters have extremely dexterous hands which are ideal at finding shellfish and crustaceans underwater. Through their high-pitched squeaks the otters can accurately locate one another, and it’s suggested that they can communicate using 12 or more different social calls. These are the smallest of all 13 otter species, but habitat loss and water pollution has impacted their numbers to the extent that they are classified as a species that is ‘Vulnerable’.

Yellow-throated Marten - Martes flavigula - Martens are members of the Mustelidae family (like weasels, ferrets, and badgers), and feast on a variety of food from lizards and bird eggs to fruit and nectar- thought to make them important seed dispersers in the forest. The yellow-throated marten is found throughout wooded areas of South East Asia, and their muscly build and long tail help make them as agile in the canopy as they are on the forest floor.

Malayan Porcupine - Hystrix brachyura - This is the largest of the seven porcupine species found in Asia. This species rely on their burrows to stay in during the day, and come out at night to forage for roots, seeds, nuts, and fallen fruit. Malayan porcupines appear to have strong family ties and will often travel in small groups searching for food. They may have few predators in this habitat, but when threatened, porcupines will often charge backwards in the hope that their sharp quills will deter any aggressor.

Bornean Bearded Pig - Sus barbatus - Like other pig species, the Bornean Bearded Pig is omnivorous and will feed on a variety of forest foods. Their long snouts are perfectly evolved to search for worms and tree roots under the soil, and they will also forage for seeds and fruit dropped by animals high up in the canopy. These pigs reach sexual maturity at around 18 months old and usually give birth to between two and four offspring at a time. Piglets have stripy coats to help them camouflage into their surroundings which fade in later life.

Deer - There are a variety of deer found in Borneo, the most commonly observed by our staff are muntjac or barking deer (below centre). With no wild tigers on this tropical island, and clouded leopards and humans being their only predators, deer can thrive in the forest feeding on vegetation. Lesser Mouse Deer (Tragulus kanchil, below left) and the vulnerable Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor, below right) can also be found in another environment where the Foundation operates in Central Kalimantan, the Belantikan region.

Orangutan Stories: Maya

This week, wild orangutan Macho will be 6 years old and his mother Maya has given him an extra special birthday gift- a new sibling to play with!

Astonishingly, Maya’s new infant will be the sixth orangutan birth recorded in 2020 in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, just a couple of weeks after we shared the news of Betli’s latest arrival. Considering that female orangutans will generally have a maximum of three or four offspring in their lifetime as they care for their young for several years, it puts into perspective how fruitful this year has been for the orangutans of this Reserve.

Macho and his mother Maya forage for fruit and young leaves in the forest together

23-year-old Maya’s newest arrival will be her third infant following her son Mozart who was born in 2008 and her second son Macho. Although learning to be independent, Macho still never seems to stray too far away from his mother, and the pair are occasionally observed together searching for food in the forest near Camp Gemini.

Maya was photographed in September showing signs of pregnancy

Our monitoring staff at camp were thrilled this week to learn that Macho had received a new brother or sister. On Monday afternoon our team spotted Maya and Macho as normal, but under closer inspection it was evident that there was a new face buried into the hair on Maya’s back.

Naturally being protective of her young infant, Maya has kept her newborn close in their precious first days together, so much so that our team are yet to get a clear photograph of the young primate. It’s thought that the newborn is female, making her Maya’s first daughter, but more observations are required before we can begin to definitively identify the sex and give a name to the infant.

Most importantly, these critically endangered orangutans appear to be healthy and doing very well in this natural habitat. We’re confident that Maya will be as caring a mother to her newborn as she has been to Macho and we look forward to studying their relationship as it grows together.

Maya and Macho

Bursting with life - Birds

The diverse ecosystems within Tanjung Puting National Park and the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in Indonesian Borneo are truly bursting with life. Our staff are fortunate to come across a variety of interesting species as they monitor orangutans in the field, conduct research, and safeguard the forest. Some of the most eye-catching species we come across are Birds, including:

Hornbills - There are 8 species of hornbill found in Borneo, and they are perhaps the most iconic birds found in the forests of this tropical island. Hornbills are infamous for the large casques on their beaks, the most eye-catching of which is the Rhinoceros Hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros. These impressive birds have brightly coloured beaks, can have a 50-inch wingspan, and typically mate for life.

Rhinoceros Hornbill

Buceros rhinoceros

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Anthracoceros albirostris

The Black Hornbill

Anthracoceros malayanus

Crested Serpent Eagle - Spilornis cheela - These raptors are found in various forest types and can survive in areas of disturbed habitat where other birds may not. In fact it could be said that these eagles prefer forest edges, where they can hunt for a variety of prey from snakes and lizards to small mammals and fish. This adaptability helps make them such a successful raptor species and they can also be found as far as India and the Philippines.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone paradisi - By looking at them, you could be forgiven for thinking that the male and female Asian Paradise Flycatcher are birds of completely different species, such is the contrast in their appearance. Females are modest-looking with black feathers on their heads and brown bodies, whereas adult males have bright white plumage and two enormous tail streamers. It’s thought these feathers are elongated to attract a mate and can grow up to 12 inches- longer than their entire body!

Male

Female

Male

Female

Storm's Stork - Ciconia stormi - This is sadly a species in decline and thought to be the rarest of all storks. Due to the loss of habitat in this part of the world, Storm’s Storks are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List with fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild. These forests in Indonesian Borneo are a real stronghold for this vulnerable species so sightings of breeding pairs are vitally important.

Kingfishers - The easiest way for our field teams to navigate through the forest is via the network of rivers, an ideal habitat for kingfishers. The Stork-billed and Blue-eared Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis & Alcedo meninting) are the most commonly seen species in these forests. Stork-billed are perhaps the most striking as they have large red bills and an explosive alarm call which is then followed by an unusual cack-cack-cack-cack laugh!

Stork-billed Kingfisher

Pelargopsis capensis

Stork-billed Kingfisher

Pelargopsis capensis

Blue-eared Kingfisher

Alcedo meninting

Blue-eared Kingfisher

Alcedo meninting

This is just a selection of the hundreds of bird species found in this diverse tropical forest environment. By supporting our guard posts and habitat restoration programme, your help is ensuring that these important species continue to live in a haven which is protected.

White-Rumped Shama

Copsychus malabaricus

Garnet Pitta

Erythropitta granatina

Greater Coucal

Centropus sinensis

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Black-naped Monarch

Hypothymis azurea

Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler

Macronus ptilosus

Buffy Fish Owl

Ketupa ketupu

Black-and-Yellow Broadbill

Eurylaimus ochromalu

Crestless Fireback

Lophura erythrophthalma

Scarlet-rumped Trogon

Harpactes duvaucelii

Green Broadbill

Calyptomena viridis

Malaysian Blue Flycatcher

Cyornis turcosus

Orangutan Stories: Aan

Rescues are an essential pillar of our work as they save orangutans in need. The majority of rescues take place in oil-palm plantations or community land where orangutans can become stranded and unable to find suitable forest habitat in which to survive.

After medical check-ups, most adult rescued orangutans are able to be swiftly released back into a natural habitat that is protected such as the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. However due to the injuries inflicted on female orangutan Aan, she is an unfortunate exception to this rule.

On her rescue from an oil-palm plantation in 2012, our team discovered that Aan’s left eyeball was missing entirely and under initial inspection, it was clear that she was malnourished and that her body was peppered with wounds from air rifle pellets. It was estimated that there were around 12 pellets visible in her skin but an X-ray would be required to find out the true extent of her injuries.

Incredibly it was revealed that Aan had in fact been shot over 100 times; 67 times on her arms, legs, and torso, and 37 on her head. It was truly remarkable that she was still alive.

Following a successful operation (below), 30 rifle pellets were safely removed from around Aan’s face whilst the remaining bullets were too deep under the skin and not doing any harm. She was then transported to the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve where she could recover and gather her strength.

It soon became apparent that Aan’s right eye was also not responsive, and unless this sight could be restored, she would never be able to be released back into the wild for her own safety.

A ray of hope came in 2017 when a group of vets from the UK travelled to Borneo to operate on Aan’s remaining eye (below). At first there was cautious optimism as Aan’s cataract was removed and her optic nerve was still intact, however once she had come round from the anaesthetic, it appeared that unfortunately the damage she had previously sustained was too much.

Aan is now around 20 years old. In the wild she may have been raising her first or second infant, but instead she must be cared for as she cannot survive by herself. Our team continue to feed, stimulate, and provide enrichment by giving her tree branches and updating her enclosure at Camp Gemini, but it is difficult not to imagine how different her life would be in other circumstances.

Aan’s future has been determined by the damage inflicted to her by humas in the past, and we hope that she is the last orangutan in our care that cannot go back to where she belongs- the wild.

Orangutan Stories: Suwita

Biologically speaking, humans and orangutans are similar as we share around 97% of the same DNA. It could be said that orangutans also share comparable traits with us when it comes to parenting, as mothers teach their young essential skills for later life, and provide them with shelter each night.

As Orangutan Foundation’s founder and director/trutee, Ashley Leiman, says: “It is very special to watch a mother and infant together. I think the bond is so exceptional because orangutans are solitary. I’ve seen gorillas and chimps with offspring and the whole group is involved in the upbringing. Likewise elephants - if a calf falls over, all the aunties and extended family reach out to pick it up and get it back on its feet. With orangutans, all that care and teaching and relationship is condensed into the mother-infant bond. The mother’s eyes are never off the young”.

Suwita gives our team a rare glimpse of her young infant

Wild female orangutan Suwita has shown these crucial maternal characteristics over the previous weeks as she carefully looks after her new baby and appears to be showing the nurturing instincts you would expect for an orangutan mother’s first offspring.

Suwita was born in the forest near Camp Rasak in 2009 and of the four new wild orangutan mothers discovered recently within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Suwita looks to be the most protective of her new baby.

Our field teams are continuously monitoring wild and reintroduced orangutans inside this protected habitat, and to help keep a visual record of their development, we try and take photographs from a suitable distance. Following careful observations of Suwita, it has now been discovered that her offspring is in fact male and has been given the name Samuel, but it hasn’t been easy to get a clear sight of the young primate.

Young Samuel is kept close as his mother feeds

Unlike the other recent orangutan mothers who almost appear to show off their newborns, Suwita is very protective to the extent that our team initially struggled somewhat in identifying the sex of her infant. When sat on a branch in trees Suwita rests her son securely on her lap to feed, and when travelling through the canopy she always makes sure that Samuel is safe and holding on tight, away from prying eyes.

Suwita is proving to be a doting mother to Samuel. It’s quite possible that her protective nature has developed from memories of her mother Sawit, but whatever the reason, it’s wonderful for us to observe a wild orangutan so caring for her first offspring.

Bursting with life - Primates

We may be the Orangutan Foundation, but our work also protects crucial forest habitat home to a variety of other ecologically significant species. It could be said that the forests we primarily operate in, Tanjung Puting National Park and the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, are truly bursting with life.

These tropical forests are found in one of the most biodiverse corners of the globe in Indonesian Borneo, where Primates make up some of the most captivating fauna. Bornean orangutans are an umbrella species helping to protect habitat for a number of these arboreal mammals, but here are some of the other primates our field team study, monitor, and observe:

Proboscis Monkey - Nasalis larvatus - Perhaps one of the most unusual species found in the forest and indeed the primate world, proboscis monkeys can only be found in the wild on the island of Borneo. It’s thought that the elongated noses of the males help to attract females, and their round bellies containing two stomachs aid the digestion of leaves that other animals cannot eat.

These endangered primates live in close social groups, often in submerged and swamp forests. This means that sometimes they must swim between trees in search of food and to help them do this, proboscis monkeys have evolved partially-webbed hands and feet, making them expert swimmers and helping them avoid predators like crocodiles in the water.

Macaques - There are two species of macaque spotted by our team; the Pig-Tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina), and Long-Tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) also known as Crab-Eating Macaque.

Some roam the forest independently in search of food, but the majority of macaques are found in flexible family groups. They always appear to be on the move and as such are one of the most commonly seen animals captured on our remote forest camera traps.

When it comes to their diet these primates are certainly not picky. Macaques are generally opportunistic omnivores and will feast on anything from leaves and seeds to invertebrates and eggs, it’s this versatility that makes them such a successful primate species around the world.

Langurs - These primates are also called ‘leaf monkeys’ due to their herbivorous diet. Comparatively little is known about their behaviour due to their elusive nature, but our team on occasion have spotted Silver Langur (Trachypithecus cristatus) and Red Langur (Presbytis rubicunda), also known as the Maroon Langur. It’s thought that the White Fronted Langur (Presbytis frontata) has also been caught on remote camera traps in the Belantikan region, another habitat which the Foundation help conserve.

Bornean White-Bearded Gibbon - Hylobates albibarbis - This is another species endemic to Borneo and listed as endangered due to the ongoing threat of habitat loss. Gibbons are neither monkeys or great apes, instead classified as ‘lesser apes’, but are perhaps the fastest primate when it comes to travelling through the canopy. It has been said that their long arms can swing them from branch to branch up to 34mph!

Gibbon pairs often mate for life and travel in small family groups. Each morning they will often strengthen this bond by singing a ‘duet’ which can resonate through the forest over a mile away, notifying other groups of their presence.

Western Tarsier - Cephalopachus bancanus - Also known as Horsfield’s Tarsier, these are the smallest primates found in Borneo. It’s understood that tarsiers are some of the oldest living primates, separated into 18 species which are all found in South East Asia.

Tarsiers are the only entirely carnivorous primates. Using their huge eyes to spot prey in the dark and then springing into action using their long legs, tarsiers feed on a range of nighttime creatures, primarily flying insects such as cicadas, moths, and beetles.

Bornean Slow Loris - Nycticebus borneanus - The large forward-facing eyes of the slow loris also indicate that they are a nocturnal species, perfectly adapted to hunt insects and small vertebrates in the trees.

They may look cute and cuddly, but the slow loris is the only primate known to have venom. Secreted from the brachial gland on their upper arm, it’s not fully understood why slow loris possess a bite which can be venomous. Perhaps this mysterious trait is why slow loris are regarded as the guardians of heaven in some local folklore.

Your support helps us provide a natural home to all of these primate species. Keep up to date on our work and subscribe to our monthly e-news updates to find out what other diverse wildlife species your crucial support protects.

Orangutan Stories: Sheila

Sheila is a female orangutan who was reintroduced to the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in 2004 and is now one our regular visitors to Camp Gemini within the forest. Her story is one that mirrors many orangutans that have been translocated to the safety of this Reserve, and one that shows how suited this environment is for a healthy population of orangutans.

Sheila and her third offspring Sony forage for food in the trees.

Our field team have monitored Sheila’s progress since her arrival into the forest at around five years of age and recorded all of the major events in her life. From the unfortunate passing of her one-year-old son Shola in 2007, to the births of her daughter Sakura in 2008 and son Sony in 2014. Sakura is now at an age where she can roam independently in the forest, but young Sony is still spotted at camp shadowing his mother from time to time.

Sakura (left) is now an adolescent exploring the forest independently, while Sony (right) is becoming more self-reliant but still stays in close proximity to his mother.

While all three orangutans live entirely in the wild, they are observed by our team when they come near to camp to ensure that they remain in good health. In recent months however, Orangutan Foundation staff saw that Sheila’s throat sack had grown bigger, an unusual occurrence for female orangutans. Males commonly have larger throat sacks, acting as echo-chambers as they produce their resonating long-call through the forest, but typically females do not.

Following some deliberation it was the decision of our vet Dr Dimas that the best course of action would be to observe Sheila more closely and anesthetise her so that her throat could be suitably checked. One afternoon with Sony playing in a nearby tree, our team were able to carefully sedate Sheila and begin their examination.

Generally Sheila appeared to be in good health, however a syringe would need to be inserted into her throat sack to check whether it contained excess air or fluid which may need releasing. In reality though, it turned out to be neither of these things. Instead it was discovered that Sheila had an extra layer of fat which fortunately is not suspected to be harmful to her wellbeing. Dr Dimas was happy to give Sheila a supplementary vitamin injection and clean bill of health to go back into the forest.

Her progress will continue to be monitored, but it is tremendously reassuring for our team to know that orangutans like Sheila in this forest are prospering in a protected natural habitat.

Support orangutan habitat for International Orangutan Day

This week please help us protect 300 acres of crucial orangutan habitat to reach our goal on International Orangutan Day, Wednesday 19th August.

This would be a wonderful reward for our team who have continued to work through lockdown, and for the Foundation as a whole on our 30th anniversary. Importantly however, it would ensure that we can continue to protect and reforest a vital biodiverse ecosystem, home to around 5,000 critically endangered orangutans.

Every sponsor between 12th-19th August will receive an email acknowledgement thanking them for their generosity. It can even be bought as an e-gift by entering a name and email address into the ‘Additional Info’ tab during the checkout process.

It costs just £2 to safeguard an area of tropical forest for a whole year, so truly every tree and every penny counts!

Orangutan Stories: Labetty and Suwita

Forget the wet and dry seasons, for the orangutans of the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve at the moment it appears to be baby season! Following the news of Pauline and Queen both giving birth in recent weeks, we are thrilled to report two more additions to the forest from first-time mothers Labetty and Suwita.

It’s not always easy to identify a pregnant orangutan as the signs can be subtle, but in recent months our teams have been keeping a watchful eye on a handful of females who appear to have slightly enlarged bellies, genitals and appetites; one of whom has been Labetty (above).

Labetty is a wild orangutan who our team at Camp Rasak have been observing on her occasional visits since her birth in 2007. Despite her larger size in recent months however, Labetty still appears to be one of the fastest orangutans in the forest and seems to glide through the trees with speed and elegance, regardless of her pregnancy. It was predicted that Labetty would give birth in around a month’s time so it was somewhat of a surprise when she was spotted this week with her new baby, identified as a male.

It would be fair to say that Suwita (above) has also surprised our team this week. It wasn’t until relatively recently that Suwita was identified as another pregnant female, but the duration of her gestation period was unknown. With wild orangutan males Ewet and Tole also spotted from time to time at Camp Rasak, it was thought that one of these males (most likely Ewet) must have mated with her at some point, but when? It wasn’t until this week when Suwita was observed with her young infant that our team knew she must have mated around 9 months ago.

The sex of Suwita’s new baby is currently unknown but our field team and veterinary staff will continue to monitor the progress of her and Labetty in the coming months. We look forward to collecting and sharing footage of the pair caring for their new infants in the forest very soon.

Through their new infants, Suwita (left) and Labetty (right) are contributing to a more secure future for this orangutan population.

To witness four wild orangutan births within a matter of weeks is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates how settled this population of great apes is in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. For all of us at the Orangutan Foundation, this news truly feels like a fitting reward on the 30th anniversary of our conservation work, supporting these critically endangered primates and protecting their natural forest environment.

Cause for celebration! The first orangutan birth of the year

It was with great excitement and surprise that Orangutan Foundation staff recently caught a glimpse of Pauline, a wild orangutan rarely seen at Camp Gemini, proudly displaying her new two-week-old baby boy.

Our team are thrilled to welcome the first newborn orangutan of the year, and the first offspring for new mother Pauline. Her infant has been named 'Pancaran' by Ibu Siti, the local Minister of Environment and Forestry. It’s heartening that in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, orangutans have provided us with some recent good news and encouragement for the future.

Pauline is the thirteen-year-old daughter of reintroduced orangutan Paula, and spends much of her time in the forest. It’s thought that last year Pauline mated with Carlos, a wild male orangutan who is also sporadically spotted at Camp Gemini. What is just as exciting is that she may not be the only orangutan with a newborn this year, as four other females in the forest also appear to be pregnant.

Betli and Queen have extended bellies and are eating for two at Camp Buluh

Our field teams keep a close eye on all of the wild and reintroduced orangutans that visit our five forest camps in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, but are keeping particularly close tabs on Labetty and Suwita at Camp Rasak, and Queen and Betli at Camp Buluh who may all be expecting newborns soon. Hopefully providing a bumper year for orangutan births in the forest.

Despite her pregnancy, Labetty is still a speedy climber though the forest

Orangutans take many years to rear their young, which is why having observed 15 births in the past five years alone, our team are proud to see that the Reserve is clearly a habitat in which these critically endangered great apes are not only surviving but thriving. We will continue to protect this vital orangutan stronghold, and look forward to welcoming more new arrivals in the coming months.

Orangutan Stories: Adib

Adib is the youngest male orangutan among the ten orphans currently in Orangutan Foundation’s soft-release programme. Despite his young age, Adib has experienced and endured a great deal in his early life.

Once entered into the soft-release programme, Adib takes his first ever climb into the trees.

Adib was raised as a pet until he was rescued in 2017 at around one and a half years old. Orangutans of his age in the wild would be entirely reliant on their mother in order to learn necessary forest skills and receive proper nourishment. With the likelihood that his mother was killed, it was therefore vital that Adib should receive appropriate care in the Foundation’s soft-release programme and develop in a natural environment.

Adib shares his current surroundings with four other orphans at Camp JL within the protected forest of the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Indonesian Borneo. Each morning these young primates climb out of their overnight enclosures and enthusiastically swing between branches, forage for food, and practice nest-making skills around camp. With no mother to keep a watchful eye on them, it’s the role of our expert team of assistants to ensure that these orphans stay safe.

When climbing high in the canopy is involved, there is always a danger to these adventurous young orangutans and accidents can still happen, as Adib discovered himself in December 2018. As he practised his climbing by stretching between branches in the trees, Adib accidentally fell to the ground and appeared to be in some discomfort. Following emergency X-rays, our vet Dr Dimas discovered that Adib had a small fracture in his right arm and required a temporary cast in order to hold it in place.

Fortunately at such a young age Adib’s bones are able to heal more rapidly, and ten days after his accident, he was able to grip fruit and hold onto camp staff as they held him.

Despite what must have been a painful time for Adib, it hasn’t stopped him from being adventurous and active in the forest today. Now at 4 years of age, he’s beginning to master the art of climbing through the trees in search for food, but still has some time to go before he becomes an expert nest-builder.

Our team are encouraged by the progress Adib has made since his time in the Foundation’s orangutan soft-release programme and look forward to the day that he will be fully prepared for an independent future in the wild.

30 years and counting

This year at the Foundation we are celebrating an important milestone- 30 years of conservation.

30 years protecting the critically endangered orangutan. 30 years on the front line guarding the vulnerable tropical forests of Borneo. 30 years collaborating with local people with environmental education and sustainable land-management practices.

The Orangutan Foundation’s programmes and primary focus is in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Our country office in Pangkalan Bun is responsible for the livelihoods of 55 staff, all of whom are Indonesian from local towns and villages. This means that our dedicated workforce are fully appreciative of their surrounding environment and understand the importance of protecting their nearby forests.

In spite of the difficulties that we are currently all facing around the world, the threat to tropical forests in Borneo remains a constant, and our 10 guard posts are still alert to monitor any cases of illegal activity. These posts contain fire-fighting equipment and continue to play a vital role in protecting over half a million acres of forest across the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve and Tanjung Puting National Park (below).

The Foundation’s five post release monitoring camps within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve (above left) continue to oversee reintroduced orangutans and the 10 young orphans currently in our soft-release programme. These orphans have been rescued from a life in captivity and offered a new chance of a future in the wild by learning essential skills in the safety of a protected forest.

Elsewhere in Tanjung Puting National Park, our remote camera traps are recording a fascinating insight into the diverse forests surrounding Pondok Ambung Tropical Forest Research Station (above right). Clouded leopards, tarsiers, sun bears, proboscis monkeys, and false gharial crocodiles are a handful of the unique species that continue to be observed and studied closely here.

Boy (left) and Timtom (right) are orphaned orangutans at Camp JL within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Learning from each other and the trees in the forest, the pair have the best possible opportunity to acquire the skills necessary for a life in the wild.

Meanwhile, our Habitat Restoration Programme has also been active in recent months. To date over 75,000 tree saplings have been planted since the devastating forest fires of 2015, and our team of experts are still diligently cultivating a new generation of saplings to reintroduce into the wild. We hope that these young plants which are more resistant to fires, will soon help rejuvenate new patches of forest and form part of a healthy natural ecosystem for years to come.

Saplings are transported from our nursery to an area of degraded forest where they can acclimatise to their new surroundings before being replanted.

The Orangutan Foundation operates in Indonesia under an MoU with the Ministry of Environment & Forestry and has a responsibility for our own field programmes. We were also the first organisation in the UK to raise awareness of the critically endangered orangutan and its threatened habitat 30 years ago. Despite the challenges that we face today, at the Foundation we know that we can continue our vital work long into the future. If you can, please help us maintain our important ongoing programmes by sponsoring an acre of tropical forest, adopting an orphaned orangutan, or making a donation today.

Our progress relies on the kindness of our supporters, members, and partners, so thank you for your dedicated support.

Orangutan Stories: Pegi

Each month we will be unveiling a story about the orangutans we care for at the Orangutan Foundation, and this month we focus on Pegi. Pegi is an adventurous young orphan who in her short time with us has transformed from a shy and nervous orangutan to one that is confident in the trees. So much so that recently Pegi evaded our team at Camp Buluh for two nights and stayed in the forest on her own for the very first time under the watchful eye of our team.

Pegi before she was rescued as a pet, and after she entered the Foundation’s soft-release programme.

Before entering our orangutan soft release programme within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, 8-year-old Pegi was a pet. In August 2019 she was handed over to government officials and Orangutan Foundation staff having spent the previous seven years alone inside a cramped wooden cage, during which time she was never released. She was also fed on a diet consisting of rice, noodles, fruit, and sugary drinks, conditions far from acceptable for a young critically endangered primate.

Spending so many years away from a forest it might be understandable to assume that Pegi would have lost any natural impulses, but as she is proving to our team of orangutan assistants, her wild instincts are very strong and she is quickly understanding and practising the skills necessary for a life in the wild.

When Pegi first arrived at our soft-release site in the forest, she was anxious of the water around camp. Now, one of her favourite things to do is take a gulp of water and spray it into the air!

On the morning of the 26th April, Pegi was taken out of her overnight enclosure by our team as usual to allow her to climb in the trees, eat bark, and play in the water. However later that morning Pegi decided to explore a little further than normal and follow a reintroduced female orangutan named Sugih into the forest.

Our team struggled to keep an eye on Pegi as she played high in the canopy, but in the afternoon she did something to surprise everyone, she began making her own nest. This is something that Pegi has never been observed doing before at camp, and sheltering from the rains that had swept over the forest, our team where amazed to see Pegi stay in her nest and sleep in the trees alone for the first time overnight.

With Orangutan Foundation staff keeping watch from below, Pegi continued her adventure through the forest the following day. Playing in Sugih’s nest and climbing from tree to tree, Pegi was observed eating young leaves, flowers, and fruits before adding more branches to her previous nest and settling down for another night in the forest.

This independent experience for Pegi shows how much she has progressed since her arrival last summer, however there are still abilities that need to be mastered before she is fully prepared for a life in the wild. With this in mind, our team were able to climb up Pegi’s tree on the afternoon of the 28th April and transport her back to camp where she can complete her education.

Pegi certainly appears to have the instincts for a future in the forest, and we hope that by refining her skills with fellow orphaned orangutan Okto, the pair will soon be able to be released from Camp Buluh together into the protected Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.

Stewards of the forest

The protection and restoration of tropical forest habitat remains at the core of ensuring a future for orangutans, not to mention the thousands of other species that rely on one of the planet’s most diverse ecosystems. Fortunately amidst the current climate, our guard post and habitat restoration staff are still hard at work.

By conducting regular patrols, guard posts can monitor and protect orangutan habitat.

Our guard posts continue to record wildlife sightings as they conduct routine patrols on the river and through the forests of the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. This is an effective strategy to prevent illegal activities such as logging, mining and fishing from occurring within the reserve.

By planting new saplings around forest peripheries, we can restore orangutan habitat previously lost in forest fires. In particular from the large fires of 2015 which decimated vast areas of vegetation.

As well as protecting existing forest, restoring degraded areas of habitat is key to the survival of orangutans and to combat the effects of climate change. Last month from our plant nursery the habitat restoration team carefully chose 16,500 seedlings to be replanted in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. The selection process for every sapling is critical as there are a number of factors to take into account before they can be planted in the wild, and it can take many years for tree saplings to grow to a forest canopy level.

Firstly, our team ensure that each plant in the nursery is growing straight, has reached the minimum height, and has green and healthy leaves before they can be delicately transported to their planting site. It then takes time for each sapling to acclimatise to direct sunlight in the nursery. This adjustment will ensure that saplings have the best possible chance to mature into trees which one day could form part of the high forest canopy.

The nine different species chosen by our team are more fire-resistant and therefore have the best chance to regenerate forest that has been destroyed. Selecting the location for each species is also a crucial factor as the soil, water level and surrounding vegetation all influence how the saplings will develop. We will continue to monitor the progress of these saplings and hope that they can form part of the surrounding Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.

While activities in many parts of the world are currently at a standstill, we are proud that our staff in the field are largely able to persevere with our ongoing conservation programmes. You can help guarantee that these vital programmes continue by participating in a fundraising activity of your choice on Sunday 26th April through the 2.6 Challenge- an event you can complete at home to help UK charities.

Alternatively, you can support our work directly by sponsoring an acre of forest or purchasing an e-gift donation towards our programmes below.

Lamandau Wildlife Reserve welcomes new residents

Over the last few months of this year’s dry season alone, Orangutan Foundation staff have helped rescue and translocate double the number of orangutans than in the previous two years in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. One of these handovers was young female Pegi who had been kept inside a cage for the past seven years, but orangutans of course are not the only species that are kept captive illegally.

Earlier this month our teams were called upon once again to assist with wildlife translocations, but this time for different species who had been rescued by government officials or handed over as pets.

Gibbons are released into the forest and explore their new home

A couple of gibbons were the first animals to be released into the forest. Once their transportation crates were opened at Camp Buluh, the pair could be seen climbing to the very top of the canopy where they’re most at home swinging from branch to branch- that was until they were interrupted by male orangutan Yoko. Coming face-to-face with a large primate several times their size might understandably be intimidating for a gibbon new to this habitat, but following a brief pause to observe one another, the individuals soon parted ways and continued roaming through the trees.

Yoko and newly released gibbon lock eyes for a moment

Also released with this pair of apes into the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve was perhaps one of the most beautiful tropical birds found in these forests- the Rhinoceros Hornbill. These large birds are a crucial seed disperser in the forest. After feeding on fruits and berries in the canopy, they can then carry the seeds for many miles before depositing them elsewhere. Our team were elated to see an individual finally stretch it’s winds and be released back into the wild by Camp JL.

A hornbill is transported for release at its new home within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve

Our team’s final translocation was a young female sun bear named Bella. Without its mother, a sun bear cub may find life in the forest challenging as they’re yet to learn the best methods to search and forage for food. It’s for this reason why our team at Camp Gemini have introduced Bella into a habituation enclosure where she can first become accustomed to her forest surroundings before being released.

One-year-old Bella is introduced to her new temporary home at Camp Gemini

It’s worrying to know that some individuals still see wild species as potential pets, but it is at least reassuring for us to know that the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve is a habitat that is protected and can therefore offer the possibility of a new beginning for these wildlife species, as well as orangutans.

To help protect these forests, please show your support between midday 3rd to 10th December 2019 via our Big Give appeal, which will double any donations in this time!

Mother and baby orangutan rescued and reunited

Following on from the 6 individuals who have been rescued and translocated since mid-July, Orangutan Foundation staff in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo were alerted to yet another emergency earlier this month.

Reports from BKSDA government officials suggested that an orangutan had been found by a group of villagers who had discovered the great ape when it ventured into an area of community plantations- quite possibly searching for food as a result of the remnant fires that have blotted the region in recent weeks.

On arrival, our team were able to observe that the orangutan was a female who had already been independently captured by the local people and put inside a transport crate. Explaining that this action should only be conducted by trained personnel, Orangutan Foundation staff then began their journey back to base with the orangutan in toe. However as our team were to soon find out, this was not the end to this orangutan’s story.

Shortly after the rescue our team received a worrying piece of news. It transpired that during the capture of the female orangutan, she had also been separated from a young infant that local residents wished to keep as a pet. Fortunately however, Orangutan Foundation and BKSDA officials were again on hand to rescue the orangutan baby from the community and reunite it with its mother.

Our vet was very pleased to see both orangutans in good health following medical examinations and observe the infant immediately feeding once reunited the mother. The 16-year-old female who had been given the name Kina, appeared to be very active as she breastfed Kino, her 2-month-old son.

Kina is anesthetised and undoes her medical examination

A few days after their initial rescue, our team were so relieved to see Kina and Kino immediately take to their new forest at the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve as they quickly climbed out of their transport cage into the trees. It’s always an uplifting experience for us to release orangutans back into the wild where they belong, and then for them to behave as if they’d never left.

On the other hand however, it is a concern that today we are still seeing orangutans in need of rescue, and perhaps more worryingly that some local communities remain keen on keeping these great apes as pets.

Kina and Kino race out of their transport crate into the protected Lamandau Wildlife Reserve