SAMBOJA LESTARI 10th ORANGUTAN RELEASE CANDIDATE PROFILES

By the end of 2016, which also marks BOS Foundation’s 25th Anniversary, another six orangutans will be released bringing the total number of orangutans released by BOS Foundation since 2012, to 251. Here are the release candidates’ profiles

1. Indonesia
Indonesia, daughter of Ingrid, was born in Samboja Lestari on 15 August 2004. When she was 2 years old, Indonesia was moved together with her mother to an island in Samboja Lestari on 29 August 2006.

Over the years Indonesia has grown into an independent orangutan who no longer relies on her mother. She is a social individual with many friends and her skills in climbing and and building nests are excellent.

Now Indonesia is 12 years old and will soon enjoy her freedom and explore Kehje Sewen Forest.

2. Cita
Cita was born on May 15, 2005, at Samboja Lestari and in 2006 she was moved to a pre-release island together with her mother, Cinta. In 2012, Cita started living independently like other orangutans of her age. We have watched, Cita grow into an amazing individual, and she is now a skilled forager and nest builder who does not like the presence of humans.

Now 12 years old, Cita will soon put her skills to the ultimate test when she is released to the Kehje Sewen Forest.

3. Bong
Bong was repatriated from a zoo in Vietnam by the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency when she was four years old, and brought to Samboja Lestari on December 4, 2006.

Bong joined our Forest School and over two years showed significant progress, which saw her relocated to a man-made pre-release island at Samboja Lestari.

Bong was regularly monitored on the island by Technicians, although she dislikes human presence and prefers to spend time alone. Now 14 years old, Bong is ready for true freedom in the Kehje Sewen Forest.

4. Valen
Valen was confiscated by the East Java BKSDA from a resident in Surabaya, who had been keeping him illegally as a pet. He was four years old when he arrived at Samboja Lestari on January 25, 2005.

After completing quarantine, Valen joined our Forest School and proved to be a smart individual who quickly picked up the instructions given by babysitters. In 2008, Valen was moved to a pre-release island at Samboja Lestari, where he grew more dominant and aggressive toward humans. In 2014, Valen was moved to a quarantine complex at Samboja Lestari.
Valen is now 15 years old and has grown into a flanged, dominant male. He will soon enjoy true freedom when he is released to the Kehje Sewen Forest.

5. Signe & Bungaran
Signe was confiscated by the East Kalimantan BKSDA from a local resident of Sangatta when she was two years old, and arrived at Samboja Lestari on February 1, 2009.

In Forest School, Signe stood out as a good nest builder and excellent forager in the forests around Samboja Lestari. On April 5, 2015, Signe gave birth to her first infant, a male named Bungaran. This mother-infant pair is known for moving easily through the trees over great distances. Bungaran is indeed lucky to have such a caring mother like Signe, who is patiently teaching her son the vital skills he needs to survive in the forest.

Signe is now nine years old, and Bungaran is an active 1-year-old. The pair will become the newest inhabitants of the Kehje Sewen Forest.