CELEBRATING BOS FOUNDATION’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

This year we reached our 25th year of working in the field of orangutan and habitat conservation in Indonesia. We have learned much during our journey and over a quarter of a century we have rescued over 2,200 displaced or orphaned orangutans. Our teams continue to work tirelessly on rescue missions, rehabilitation, translocation and reintroduction, habitat protection, community development and environmental education all of which is aimed at conserving orangutans for future generations.

To mark this milestone, we gathered our extended family and friends to join us in a series of events, which gave us the opportunity to look back on the BOS Foundation’s journey and reflect on our achievements and opportunities for strengthening our future activities.

The events started on October 13, at our headquarters in Bogor, where staff and friends of the Foundation, past and present, shared their experiences in a discussion forum.

Our next event took place on Youth Pledge Day, October 28, where we held a workshop in Bogor to discuss the scientific side of orangutan rescues and policy analysis, and to review the BOS Foundation’s current approach to fundraising and communications. Valuable input was received from our speakers including the Head of Cooperation Office from National University, Dr. Sugardjito; President-Director of Surabaya Zoo, Aschta Nita; President Director of Talk Link, Ria Ariyanie; Coordinator for Forest and Terrestrial Campaign of WWF Indonesia, Dyah Sulistiowati; Chairperson of Indonesia’s IAR Foundation, Tantyo Bangun; and Arbi Valentinus from FLEGT Expert European Forest Institute.

We believe that everyone can help save orangutans whether they live in Jakarta or Borneo or anywhere in the world! To spread awareness and actively involve people locally, we held a Fun Walk during Orangutan Caring Week, which took place during Jakarta’s Car Free Day on November 13.

Several familiar faces from the entertainment industry joined to support the BOS Foundation team, including Bayu Oktara, Uli Herdinansyah, Hilbram Dunar, Jose Poernomo, Fade2Black, Nadine Alexandra Dewi Ames, Umay, Blink, and Harsya Soebandrio, with Swara Maharddhika and Orangutan Lifesaver (OLS) communities. Thank you to everyone who joined this fun event!

On November 18, we held our Celebration Night in Central Jakarta, with the theme “Orangutans Critically Endangered Yet Still Unprotected”.

We were fortunate enough to be honoured by the presence of the former President of Indonesia and Patron to Bornean orangutans, Ms. Megawati Soekarnoputri; the Head of Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly, Dr. H. Zulkifli Hasan, SE, MM; and the former Minister of Forestry in 2004-2009, Dr. H. MS Kaban SE, MSi. We were also supported by our Trustees Prof. Dr. Ir. Bungaran Saragih, MEc and Ir. Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo, and Advisor for the Board of Trustees Drs. Marzuki Usman, MA. A fantastic evening of entertainment was provided by Harsya Subandrio, Swara Maharddhika, Bala Maharddhika, Rukmi Wisnu Wardani, and Fade2Black.
The most important part of the evening was dedicated to the women and men who work with us on the frontline rescuing and caring for orangutans and protecting natural habitat. We are delighted to announce our Award winners:
•   Lifetime Achievement Award: Ir. Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo, the former Minister of Forestry, former Head of the BOS Foundation Board of Trustees, and lifelong supporter of orangutan and habitat conservation.
•   Outstanding Dedication to Orangutan Rehabilitation and Care – Woman’s Category: Wiwik Astutik – Forest School Level 1 Coordinator, Samboja Lestari
•   Outstanding Dedication to Orangutan Rehabilitation and Care – Men’s Category: Agus Fahroni – Medical Team Coordinator, Nyaru Menteng
•   Outstanding Dedication to Orangutan Rehabilitation Care and Conservation in a Supporting Role: Fransiska Sulistyo – Animal Welfare Coordinator