SPECIAL CARE UNIT FOR OUR ORANGUTANS IN SAMBOJA LESTARI

Very sadly not all of the orangutans within our rehabilitation centers can be released back to the wild. Orangutans arrive at our centers of all ages and in all kinds of conditions. Some orangutans are disabled, some have contracted human diseases, which they would not have encountered in the wild, and some have spent too long in captivity to be able to learn how to survive in natural habitat.

At the BOS Foundation Samboja Lestari Orangutan Rehabilitation Program in East Kalimantan, we have a number of individuals which can never be released back to the wild due to illness. So we can keep those individuals safely separated and cared for from the main population, we have developed a new facility which will provide these orangutans with the care and welfare they need for the rest of their lives.

Kopral & Shelton are two very special orangutans who require extra love and care. Due to their disabilities caused by horrible tragedies, neither can be released back into the wild.

Thanks to funds raised through one of our partner organisations, BOS Switzerland, the BOS Foundation have been busy constructing a new Special Care Unit (SCU) within a 5500 m2 square area, with capacity to accommodate 40 individuals. Construction began in May and is now complete. With additional support from our Australian partner, BOS Australia, the SCU is fully fitted with special enrichment equipment including rubber ropes, hammocks, platforms and other items to ensure our orangutans are as comfortable and stimulated as possible. BOS Australia have also provided support to construct a special waste water system which is in the final stage of completion.

Last Tuesday, we were delighted to welcome both the Swiss Ambassador to Indonesia, Mrs. Yvonne Baumann and the Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Dr. Ir. Tachrir Fathoni to Samboja Lestari where they formally opened the new Special Care Unit.

Tree Planting and Release 
Ambassador Baumann is known for her deep concern of environmental issues and the Swiss Embassy recently supported the replanting of a 5 hectare area in Samboja devastated by fire.

Having opened our Special Care Unit, Ambassador Baumann and the Director General, Dr. Fathoni, then symbolically released four of our orangutans who were directly transported to Kehje Sewen Forest. The four orangutans, Joni, Hanung, Bungan and Teresa, travelled for around 20 hours overland before being reintroduced into Kehje Sewen. 

Look out for our next story on Joni, Hanung, Bungan and Teresa’s release!