A NEW LIFE FOR VERA AND JUJUN
The BOS Foundation recently relocated two orangutans from the Individual Enclosure Complex to Sanctuary Island #5 at the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre–a significant step towards a more natural environment.
The move is part of the BOS Foundation’s ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of unreleasable orangutans. These are individuals who, for various reasons, cannot return to the wild.
Preparing orangutans and the island
Before the relocation, the team not only prepared Jujun and Vera for their move to a semi-wild environment. They also ensured the island was in top condition for its new residents.
Therefore, Sanctuary Island #5 remained uninhabited for approximately five months. During this period, a team of technicians carried out extensive maintenance and facility upgrades to ensure the island was safe, healthy, and suitable for orangutan habitation.
In addition to thorough health checks before her relocation, Vera also received a contraceptive implant.
Following strict standards
These preparations included the construction of wooden feeding platforms, repairs and additions to existing enrichment furniture, and the installation of new enrichment structures designed to encourage natural orangutan behaviours. The team fully desinfected the island twice and tested soil and water samples to confirm that environmental conditions were healthy.
In addition, the technicians conducted thorough cleaning of the island’s interior and surrounding waterways, including the removal of moss that could negatively affect habitat quality. All of these steps form part of BOS Foundation’s strict standards for island readiness prior to orangutan occupancy.
Comprehensive health checks
On 10 December 2025, once Sanctuary Island #5 was fully prepared, the relocation process began. The technical team gradually transported the orangutans by boat to ensure their safety and well-being.
Vera was first. Prior to the transfer, she underwent a comprehensive health examination, including X-rays, eye and dental checks, bronchoalveolar lavage sampling, blood tests, nasopharyngeal swabs, and the insertion of a contraceptive implant as part of population management.
The relocation of Jujun followed. In addition to the same set of medical examinations, the veterinarians also took body measurements to complete his health records.
After spending most of his 27 years in enclosures, Jujun can finally enjoy a natural habitat.
Jujun’s first island experience
For Vera, living on an Orangutan Sanctuary Island was not a new experience. She had previously resided on Sanctuary Island #4 before being moved back to the Individual Enclosure Complex during island maintenance.
Jujun’s story, however, is different. This relocation marked his very first experience living on an Orangutan Island. Jujun is a male orangutan surrendered by residents in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, when he was approximately 4 to 5 years old. Since he arrived at Wanariset and later transferred to Samboja Lestari, Jujun has spent most of his life living in enclosures.
Jujun has a history of respiratory issues, specifically Orangutan Respiratory Disease Syndrome (ORDS), which he has been managing since 2017. Fortunately, his condition has remained stable, with no signs of relapse up to 2025. Now, at 27 years old, Jujun’s move to Sanctuary Island #5 marks a significant new beginning. This transition offers him the chance to breathe freely and enjoy a more natural environment without the obstruction of enclosure bars.
A commitment to orangutan welfare
The relocation of orangutans to sanctuary islands reflects BOS Foundation’s continued commitment to improving the quality of life for orangutans under its care. This commitment includes providing unreleasable orangutans with a second chance to live as true orangutans in a semi-wild environment, where they can express natural behaviours in a safe and enriched habitat.
Please support our unreleasable orangutans here!
