A NEW CHAPTER IN THE WILD
We have a beautiful story about a mother and her infant from one of our release locations in Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park. Our Post-Release Monitoring team in the Hiran watershed successfully observed Hilda, a female orangutan we reintroduced back to the wild in 2019.
When Hilda was released, she was holding a tiny female infant named Hadijah, whom she had given birth to while on a pre-release island. Unfortunately, Hadijah was no longer seen with Hilda when she reappeared in late 2022. Instead, Hilda was carrying a new baby. This special infant orangutan was named Hiran, representing the forest area where rehabilitated orangutans can live freely in the wild.
A Testament to the success of our reintroduction efforts
Hiran’s presence reminds us of the importance of our ongoing efforts to release orangutans back into the wild. When first observed, Hiran was just a few months old and completely reliant on Hilda for both nourishment and protection. Like other young orangutans, Hiran will spend the first 7 to 8 years of his life clinging to Hilda, closely observing her movements and developing essential survival skills for life in the forest.
Recently, the monitoring team spotted Hilda and Hiran again in a bamboo forest area. The two were relaxing while enjoying tender bamboo shoots and leaves. Now estimated to be around 2 to 3 years old, Hiran still stays close to Hilda. This is a critical time for him to learn how to forage, build nests, and explore the forest.
Hilda and her son Hiran were relaxing in a Bamboo forest when the team spotted them.
A journey of learning and independence
The journey ahead for Hiran is one of discovery and growth. Over the next 5 years, Hiran will continue to rely on Hilda while gradually developing the basic skills to become an independent orangutan. The journey to independence includes learning to build nests for sleeping, identifying and foraging for food, and navigating the dense Bornean rainforest.
Hilda’s journey is equally inspiring. Rescued from a palm oil farm in the Kotawaringin Timur Regency in 2007, Hilda successfully learned all important lessons for survival in the wild while at our rehabilitation centre. Thanks to the BOS Foundation’s rehabilitation and reintroduction program, she got a second chance to live freely. Her capacity to thrive in the wild and her role as a mother proves the efficiency of conservation initiatives and provides hope for the future of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus).
Hiran is around 2 to 3 years old – a critical time for him to learn how to forage, build nests, and explore the forest.
Gratitude to conservation warriors
The story of Hilda and Hiran highlights the essential work of our Post-Release-Monitoring team in the field. Their dedication ensures that orangutans like Hilda and Hiran can thrive in their natural habitats, which in turn helps maintain the ecological balance of the forest.
The presence of this mother and child also serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting orangutans and their habitats. No matter how small, every action contributes to preserving these extraordinary creatures and the rainforests they call home.
Let us continue to support and celebrate conservation efforts so that orangutans like Hilda and Hiran can have a brighter future in the wild!
Thank you for your support!
