About Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) New Zealand

Established in 2023, BOS New Zealand is totally dependent on the support of the public to help rescue and save these critically endangered red apes and their habitat. We ensure the vital support from our donors goes to where funds are needed the most – to the orangutans in Indonesia.

By supporting us, you are helping to:

  • rescue, rehabilitate and reintroduce orangutans
  • provide public awareness and educational programs
  • protect existing rainforest habitat
  • support and educate the people who depend on forests to earn their living.

We directly support the work of our partner organisation, Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), and their projects, including the:

  • Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Reintroduction Centre
  • Samboja Lestari Orangutan Reintroduction Centre and Land Rehabilitation
  • Mawas Conservation Program.

The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) in Indonesia is a non-profit foundation supported by BOS New Zealand and other sister organisations around the world.

BOSF operates under an official agreement with the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry for the conservation of Bornean orangutans and their ecosystem that works by involving and educating the local people. The BOS teams focus on orangutan rescue, reintroduction and habitat conservation both in East and Central Kalimantan. Currently, BOSF, supported by BOS New Zealand and other sister organisations, manages the biggest orangutan reintroduction program in the world, and is caring for over 400 orangutans. The Foundation also manages a peat land conservation area which provides habitat for 3,000 wild orangutans in Central Kalimantan and manages an Ecosystem Restoration Concession in East Kalimantan that is dedicated as orangutan habitat.

On the ground in Indonesia, BOSF works with the support of over 470 highly devoted local staff as well as experts in conservation, primates and community empowerment.

Interests include:

  • biodiversity (flora and fauna)
  • forest rehabilitation
  • forest inventory and monitoring
  • agroforestry to improve local peoples’ welfare and education
  • working with orangutans and other protected wildlife.

BOSF was formed in 1991 and is under the capable direction of its board with Prof. Dr Bungaran Saragih as chairman and Dr Jamartin Sihite as CEO.  BOSF has a Board of Trustees overseeing operations, assisted by a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) made up of orangutan experts and other specialists from Indonesia and around the world.

Since its incorporation, BOSF has achieved many enviable successes which have been directly contributed to by the support of generous donors.

Our Trustees

BOS New Zealand’s leadership consists of the following Trustees;

Kerin Welford

An internationally accredited Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FFIA), Kerin Welford is the Director of Bluestone Fundraising. With more than 24 years’ experience, Kerin has worked within nine international, national and regional charitable organisations, spanning the not-for-profit sector across Australia and New Zealand. A multi-award-winning fundraising leader, change manager, international conference speaker and mentor, Kerin also serves as the President of BOS Australia, Director of The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) and is the President of Sydney Street Cats.

Judith Curran

Judith Curran is a highly accomplished television producer and executive based in New Zealand with over 30 years of experience in factual documentary production and development. She is widely recognized for her exceptional work on the documentary series Orangutan Island (2009) and Orangutan Jungle School (2018/2019), which were both filmed in BOS Foundation’s two rescue centres.  She has overseen the creation of more than 180+ hours of prime-time programming  for audiences in the US, Europe and Asia since 2001 and has also produced a vast array of top-rated, award-winning content for Australian and New Zealand television networks. Orangutan conservation has been her passion since the very first time she set foot in a Borneo rainforest.

Corey Mrnjavac

Corey is a qualified Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with over 20 years’ experience in a range of roles across both commercial and non-for-profit sectors in Australia and overseas, and is currently Director of Corporate Services for an established Victorian-based mental health organisation.  Corey is committed to and passionate about the survival of orangutans and assists through his broad experience in financial, compliance and operational matters.

Louise (Lou) Grossfeldt

Louise is the Primate Curator at the new Sydney Zoo.  This follows a long-term supervisory role at the Primate Unit at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, where she’s worked for over 25 years specialising in the husbandry and management of a range of different primate species. Louise has been involved with BOSA since 2002. She provides animal husbandry advice on the care of the non-releasable orangutans held within the BOS sanctuaries in Indonesia. Louise is one of the key enrichment advisors of the welfare/ enrichment committee. She is working alongside Fleur Butcher, another key orangutan person, to develop effective enrichment programs.

Our partners

Orangutans on feeding platform

How Can You Help

There are lots of ways you can support orangutans and help ensure the survival of this precious ape.

Make a Donation

Make a Donation

Please help the Orangutans in their struggle for survival. Your donation is important and goes directly to BOS Indonesia. By donating, you are helping bring this noble yet endangered species back from the brink of extinction and on a path to freedom - from rescue to rehabilitation and release.

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Visit Our Shop

Visit Our Shop

The perfect gift for any occasion! Choose from our selection of instant gifts that directly support our orangutans. You can buy a wheelbarrow, provide food for an orangutan for two months or lots more. You will receive a certificate, personalised with the name of your choice - perfect gift for you or a friend.

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