The 38th release from Nyaru Menteng – Meet the candidates
We are thrilled to introduce you to the eight orangutans who are about to return to their true home in the Bornean rainforest. This will be the 38th orangutan release from our Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Central Kalimantan.
Pickle
Pickle was rescued from Pangkalan Bun in West Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. He arrived at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre on September 29th, 2007, when he was just five months old. He weighed 2.2 kilograms and was alone, without his mother.
After completing the quarantine period, Pickle joined Forest School. Several years later, he graduated with flying colours, and we transferred him to Badak Besar Pre-Release Island on March 30th, 2019. Thanks to his well-honed survival skills and explorative nature, the independent male was able to complete all stages of rehabilitation and prove himself ready to return to the forest.
Pickle is now 14 years old and weighs 40 kilograms. After 13 years of rehabilitation at Nyaru Menteng, he is more than ready to embark on a new adventure in the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park in Central Kalimantan.
Miko
Miko was rescued in Kereng Bangkirai Village in Sabangau District, Palangka Raya City, Central Kalimantan, on February 10th, 2010. At his rescue, Miko was only three months old and weighed 2.5 kilograms.
Following a quarantine period, Miko attended Forest School to hone his survival skills. He passed all levels of Forest School and proceeded to the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on Badak Besar Island on November 14th, 2019. On the island, Miko was known as a highly curious individual. While not a dominant figure, he could still defend himself when needed.
Miko is now 11 years old and weighs 30.7 kilograms. After undergoing a ten-year rehabilitation process at Nyaru Menteng, he is now ready to explore the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park as a true, wild orangutan.
Miko will be home soon.
Suci
Suci was rescued in Kasongan, Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan, on August 8th, 2016. At her rescue, she was only 12 months old and weighed 5.5 kilograms.
After passing quarantine, Suci began her rehabilitation process in Forest School. She graduated a few years later, and we transferred her to Badak Besar Island on November 7th, 2019. On the pre-release island, Suci became known as a lone explorer. Observations confirmed that Suci had mastered all the natural skills required to survive independently in the wild.
Suci is now six years old and weighs 26.3 kilograms. After undergoing a five-year rehabilitation process, she is ready to explore the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park alongside her peers.
Lido
A joint team of the Central Kalimantan BKSDA’s wildlife rescue team and the BOS Foundation rescued Lido from a palm-oil plantation in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, on January 10th, 2007. They found her in poor physical condition, without her mother. At the time, she was only a month old and weighed 1.3 kilograms.
After completing all stages of Forest School at Nyaru Menteng, Lido proceeded to the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on Badak Besar Island on November 4th, 2016. She was very vigilant on the island and cared little for human presence.
Lido is now 15 years old and weighs 33.3 kilograms. After undergoing the rehabilitation process for nearly her whole life, she is ready to live wild and free in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
Sembara
A joint team of the Central Kalimantan BKSDA’s wildlife rescue team and the BOS Foundation rescued Sembara from a resident in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, on August 10th, 2011. He arrived at Nyaru Menteng when he was two and a half years old, weighing 3 kilograms.
After passing quarantine, Sembara attended Forest School and finished all levels before being transferred to Salat Island for the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on November 7th, 2019. On the island, he was easily disturbed by human presence and became skilled at responding to his surroundings.
Sembara is now 13 years old and weighs 36.6 kilograms. After a decade of rehabilitation, he will soon be enjoying true freedom in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
Ating
Before her rescue, Ating was under the care of an oil palm plantation worker for about a week in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. The worker claimed that the plantation had bought the baby orangutan from a poacher. Ating finally arrived at Nyaru Menteng on November 16th, 2006, when she was two years old and weighed 3.5 kilograms.
After completing quarantine, Ating joined Forest School, and on April 5th, 2017, she took a huge step and started the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on Badak Besar Island. Ating ignored human presence on the island and tended to keep her distance from other orangutans, opting to explore the forest independently.
Ating is now 17 years old and weighs 47.6 kilograms. After 15 long years of rehabilitation, she will soon prove that she can survive as a true, wild orangutan in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
Petto
Petto was rescued from Henda Village in Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan, and arrived at Nyaru Menteng on March 29th, 2008. He was two and a half years old at the time and weighed only 2.5 kilograms. He arrived at Nyaru Menteng in poor physical condition, with a cut stretching from his abdomen to his lower chest and another one on his upper left arm that required stitches and a period of intensive care.
After recovering from his wounds and passing quarantine, Petto joined Forest School to learn the necessary survival skills. On November 23rd, 2017, Petto was finally transferred to Badak Besar Island to undergo the pre-release stage of rehabilitation. Petto was not a particularly aggressive orangutan on the island and usually ignored human presence. He became an excellent explorer and easily made friends with other orangutans.
Petto is now 16 years old and weighs 54.2 kilograms. After 13 years of rehabilitation, Petto will soon be enjoying true freedom in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
Mony
Mony was rescued in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, and arrived at Nyaru Menteng on December 23rd, 2008, when she was 18 months old.
After completing Forest School, we transferred her to Badak Besar Island on March 30th, 2019. There, Mony showed technicians that she was incredibly observant of her surroundings and could defend herself when needed. Mony gave birth to a baby male orangutan on July 31st, 2021. Tragically, her first attempt at motherhood was not successful. A few months later, her son went missing.
Mony is now 15 years old and weighs 28 kilograms. After going through a 14-year rehabilitation process, Mony is finally ready to explore her true home in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
Stay tuned for the full story of their release!
