SAMBOJA LESTARI ORANGUTAN RELEASE (DAY 1)

Starting today the BOS Foundation at Samboja Lestari releases three orangutans into Kehje Sewen forest.

Since morning, the whole team is ready for this activity. The Samboja Lestari medical team began the process of sedation at 6 AM. Leo, the only male orangutan release candidate, got the first turn to be sedated because he will be the first candidate sent to the forest.

Leo was then loaded onto a travel cage then transported to Kehje Sewen by Bell 412 Helicopter owned by PT. National Utility Helicopters (NUH). Leo was accompanied by drh. Agus Irwanto and one technician from Samboja Lestari. The flight was expected to reach Kehje Sewen in 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Meanwhile, Juminten and Titin were transported to Sangatta by car. They both will take an overnight in transit cages located in Kaltim Prima Coal and fly to Kehje Sewen by helicopter the next day. Juminten and Titin will be accompanied by drh. Agnes and seven technicians from Samboja Lestari.

Unexpected news came from Kehje Sewen. Last night, there was a heavy rain in Kehje Sewen resulting the flooded Lesik River and a small landslide behind the Camp 103. The rain was eventually stopped this morning but Kehje Sewen was still covered in thick fog. This caused a very low visibility and dangerous for Leo’s flight. The team was continuously monitoring the weather to ensure the departure towards Kehje Sewen.

Thankfully, the weather was gradually getting better. The drizzle stopped and the thick fog that covered Kehje Sewen faded away. Leo was ready to be flown to his home! At 7:45 AM, the helicopter departed towards Kehje Sewen.

At 09:30 AM, the helicopter carrying Leo was successfully landed on the helipad in Camp 103. The whole team that has been waiting was then swiftly transporting the cage to the sling located over the Lesik River just behind the Camp 103.

Crossing the travel cage through the Lesik River is definitely not an easy task. Accuracy and carefulness were needed for the orangutan safety. We will do everything to make sure Leo is safe and he can enjoy the forest immediately! Finally, the team managed to cross Leo through the Lesik River although the team noticed Leo was trying so hard to pull the strap out of the cage.

After successfully crossing the Lesik River, Leo then transported by car to the release point, located in the banks of Lembu River. When finally got there, Leo was ferried for the second time to the other side of Lembu River. The technician put the transport cage in around 150 m from the river edge. It was 3 PM when the cage was opened, Leo was immediately stepped out and climbed to the nearest tree. Everybody was so happy to be able to witness the true freedom of Leo. Congratulation, Leo! Enjoy your freedom!

How about Juminten and Titin? Just now, we received news about them. They both have arrived safely in Sangatta, taking an overnight rest. We do hope that tomorrow, the weather will be good so the flight for them towards Kehje Sewen can run smoothly.