CANDIDATES FOR THE 44th RELEASE FROM NYARU MENTENG
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia (KLHK), the Natural Resources Conservation Centre (BKSDA) of Central Kalimantan, and the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation will soon conduct the 44th orangutan release from the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre into the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR). Here are the orangutan candidates up for release:
BLEGI
Blegi is a male orangutan rescued from Buntok, South Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan on April 13, 2015. He was approximately three years old and weighed 7.1 kg.After quarantine, Blegi attended forest school with his pals and graduated successfully. On December 6, 2021, he resumed the pre-release process on Kaja Island. Blegi is highly curious and sociable. He enjoys exploring and is good at obtaining natural food. Blegi is now twelve years old and ready to return to the wild and become a truly free orangutan.
JENGYOS
On September 19, 2016, a team from the BOS Foundation and the Central Kalimantan BKSDA rescued Jengyos from Petak Bahandang Village in Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan. This female orangutan was one year old and weighed just 2.6 kg. Jengyos went to forest school, where she learned survival skills that she had to put to the test later on the Salat Pre-release Island. She started this final stage of her rehabilitation on May 17, 2022, and while living on the island, Jengyos came to be known for her independence and love of exploration.Jengyos is currently nine years old. This adorable girl will soon be exploring her new home in the wild.
BEJO
Bejo is a male orangutan who was rescued on October 1, 2009, not far from the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre. He was just 1.5 years old, without a mother, and weighed 3.7 kg. After completing the quarantine period, he enrolled in forest school and successfully completed all stages. On November 7, 2019, we moved him to the Salat Pre-Release Island, where he would prove his skills before being released. Bejo is an orangutan who avoids competition by steering clear of individuals he does not know and getting along with those with whom he is already familiar. Bejo is now 17 years old, and after completing all stages of rehabilitation, he is ready to embark on his adventure in the wilderness.
RUNTU
Runtu, a female orangutan, was repatriated from Thailand on November 22, 2006, alongside 47 other orangutans. At the time, Runtu was 5.5 years old and weighed 19 kg. After quarantine, Runtu went to forest school, and on January 29, 2020, she had the opportunity to participate in the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on the Salat Pre-Release Island. Runtu is a very curious orangutan, exhibited by her frequent explorations as she searched for natural foods on the island. Runtu is currently 23 years old and will soon be free to roam the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park as a wild orangutan.
MERYL
Meryl is a female orangutan who was rescued from Tumbang Jiga Village in Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan Province, on January 8, 2015. When rescued, she was eight months old and weighed 2.7 kg. She followed the usual rehabilitation path, completing quarantine after arrival, moving on to forest school to learn skills, and, finally, moving to a pre-release island on November 10, 2021. Meryl is a compassionate orangutan who usually avoids humans but gets along wonderfully with the other orangutans. Meryl is currently ten years old, and she will soon be able to return to the forest as a wild orangutan.
HAPPY
Happy is a male orangutan rescued from Parenggean Village, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, on July 24, 2010. When we rescued him, he was just 1.5 years old, weighed 4 kg, and had no mother. After quarantine, Happy started his rehabilitation journey in forest school and then moved on to the Salat Pre-release Island on May 17, 2022. Happy is an explorer with excellent foraging skills, but his behaviour can be unpredictable, and he is easily annoyed by the presence of new individuals. Happy is currently 16 years old and is ready to explore the true wildness of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
