KEEPER EXCHANGE BETWEEN NYARU MENTENG AND MELBOURNE ZOO

The long-established relationship between BOSF Nyaru Menteng and Melbourne Zoo is still going strong, with continued collaboration on several initiatives. We have worked together on animal welfare programs, with a particular focus on enrichment and enclosure construction. The two parties also set up a keeper-exchange program, to enable staff from both sides to share their experiences and expertise.

Through this program, funding was provided for seven enrichment-team members from Nyaru Menteng to visit Melbourne Zoo. These team members were Jhon Leo and Nabri (in 2008), Karne and Surianto (in 2009), Suripno (in 2010) and Mulyadi and Lori Nere on 1 April – 25 May this year. During this exchange program, all seven Nyaru Menteng team members were able to put their skills to work and build on their knowledge of animal facilities in both Indonesia and Australia.

Lori Nere and Mulyadi, who recently returned from Australia, passionately shared their stories and experiences with their Nyaru Menteng colleagues.

 

“We learned so many new things while working at Melbourne Zoo. This has been an extraordinary experience, being our first time abroad. We are going to share our wonderful experiences with our colleagues in Nyaru Menteng,” they said.

While in Australia, Lori Nere and Mulyadi met Mr Jamartin Sihite, CEO of the BOS Foundation. Mr Jamartin was visiting several cities in Australia to mark the 3rd anniversary of orangutan-release work by the BOS Foundation. Meeting Mr Jamartin gave Lori Nere and Mulyadi the motivation to learn more - it was a very special moment for them, especially since they were so far from home.

The Nyaru Menteng team hope the keeper-exchange program will continue, so every team member can build on their skills and experience for the benefit of the entire enrichment team - because as we all know, the challenges that lay ahead are only going to get harder!