FREE AND HAPPY: FOUR ORANGUTANS IN KEHJE SEWEN

It has been a great start to 2016, and our PRM team continues to patrol and observe the orangutans we have reintroduced in the areas surrounding Camp Nles Mamse and Camp Lesik. Our most recently reintroduced orangutans; Hanung, Bungan, Joni, and Teresa were released in the southern part of Kehje Sewen forest last December, and we are delighted to report that they have embraced their new lives and are all doing very well. 
 

Hanung
Hanung has been adapting well to his new environment. He focuses most of his activities in the trees and he has begun to roam and forage extensively. He recently met up with Bungan, Ajeng and Leonie. Ajeng and Leonie only paused for a moment, but then continued on with their journey, leaving Bungan behind who went over to where Hanung was eating fruit and spent some time with him feeding in the trees.
 

Bungan
Similar to Hanung, Bungan is adapting well in Kehje Sewen Forest. Bungan is a friendly and easy to get along with orangutan. Her encounter with Hanung sparked a little relationship and the two have spent time together ever since. Interestingly and unusually, the two now share nest almost every night.
 

Joni
Joni is a big fan of Ficus sp. He also has a huge range and we have recorded his movements to and within the furthest monitoring location. We have yet to see him settle or spend time with other orangutans, but this may come with time. Plus as a male he is more likely to range long distance, so we are very pleased with his progress.

Teresa
Teresa has been observed consuming plenty of forest fruits, even the ones she has clearly never tasted before. She seems to enjoy exploring the hilly forest areas and moves relatively quickly from one tree to another (mainly to avoid our monitoring team). She is a difficult orangutan to follow, but this is a great sign and one we are happy to see her adopt.

We are so delighted to see these orangutans clearly enjoying their freedom; foraging, making nests, eating wild foods and socializing without fear of conflict with humans. We’ll keep you updated with their progress!