ICAL’S ISLAND LIFE

The BOS Foundation’s Samboja Lestari Orangutan Reintroduction Program safeguards seven manmade islands in East Kalimantan, where rehabilitated orangutans are able to live a safe and peaceful life in a semi-wild outdoor environment.

The islands are maintained by BOS Foundation technicians; like Syahrul, who is in charge of island #5. Syahrul has 15 years of experience working at Samboja Lestari and has become very fond of the orangutans who live on the island, especially with 7-year-old Ical. Colleagues jokingly say that Syahrul is Ical’s ‘stepdad’, because he is the only technician that Ical feels safe near and doesn’t throw sticks at.

Volunteers who come to help at Samboja Lestari regularly comment on Syahrul and Ical’s bond; and one such volunteer even had a mug made celebrating their relationship.

On a particularly hot day, Ical decided he needed to cool off and when Syahrul finished his cleaning activities, Ical snuck in and holding on to a nearby branch dipped his body into the creek. In Samboja Lestari, the pre-release islands are separated by small creeks, river-like moats usually 2-2.5 meter wide, but the depth varies depending on the season. During the rainy season, it can get too deep for orangutans.

We keep the islands clear of debris by cutting down the wild grass that usually grows and fill up the river banks. River banks full of thatch can make it difficult for the technicians to land their small boat and feed the orangutans in the island.

Unlucky for Ical, Syahrul who stood across the creek saw him lowering himself into the water and shouted to warn him of the danger. Ical quickly climbed up to Imut, his mother.

At his tender age of six it is understandable that Ical actively tries new things. There is still plenty of time for Ical to learn to live independently. We at BOS Foundation are certain that some day, Ical will grow to become an extraordinary orangutan so he and his mother will live together back where they belong, in the forest.