About Christine Glah
Author Archives for Christine Glah
JENI LEARNS SMELL AND TASTE DON’T ALWAYS CORRELATE
When many orangutans come down with flu at the same time, our surrogate mothers and veterinarians work together to make a traditional tonic – onion juice mixed with honey. According to our vet, onions can help... View Article
PEAKING INTO A LONGHOUSE
The Dayak people are known for their traditional longhouses, which are still home to families all across Borneo. In the province of East Kalimantan, the Lamin traditional house is an integral part of the Dayak culture,... View Article
BEAR BUDDIES FOR LIFE
In 2023, we welcomed two male sun bear cubs to our Samboja Lestari Sanctuary. Bakar and Coki have lived together ever since. Bakar was rescued by the Wildlife Rescue Team of the East Kalimantan Natural Resources... View Article
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON
Camp Nles Mamse is approaching its tenth Birthday. Built in 2015, this nine-year-old facility has seen countless stories unfold and occupies a space in the heart of anyone who has ever called it home. Many team... View Article
A FRESH START AT LIFE
At the end of last year, the BOS Foundation team successfully released eight orangutans from the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre into the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park. This release was quite challenging, as the... View Article
CLEVER KHEAL
In the lush canopy of Badak Kecil Island, amidst the rustling leaves and echoing calls of wildlife, Kheal, a remarkable orangutan, showcases her ingenuity in the face of challenges. As the morning sun cast its golden... View Article
SWEET MERYL GOES HOME
Another beloved orangutan from our adoption program is ready to enjoy true freedom in the Bornean rainforest. We are incredibly proud of Meryl and so thankful to her adopters who supported her during her nine-year rehabilitation... View Article
RAKUS HEALS HIS OWN INJURY
Researchers observed a male Sumatran orangutan self-treating his facial wound with a healing plant. Even though there is evidence of certain self-medication behaviours in animals, the evolutionary biologists from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior,... View Article
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: AMBER CASTLE
Please meet Amber Castle, BOS Australia’s new Orangutan Enrichment Volunteer Coordinator, who has vast experience and can’t wait to welcome you to Borneo. Are you excited about your new position? I am ecstatic to be appointed... View Article
FOREST SCHOOLS – MUCH MORE THAN JUNGLE CLASSROOMS
Have you ever wondered how our forest schools resemble orangutans’ natural habitats? Let’s peek in and see! Sri Rahayu, BOS Foundation’s Surrogate Mother Coordinator at our Nyaru Menteng centre, and her fellow babysitters prepare for another... View Article
AN UNEXPECTED, WILD FRIENDSHIP
Recently, the weather in Central Kalimantan, especially around Nyaru Menteng, has been unpredictable: Sometimes, it is very hot and dry, while other times, there is heavy rainfall and cool temperatures. As a result, several of Nyaru... View Article
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2024
Every year, on 22 May, the International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated to raise awareness and highlight the importance of biodiversity conservation. In 2024, the theme “Be Part of the Plan” emphasises the need for... View Article
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... View Article
ARE ORANGUTANS EMPATHETIC?
When surrogate mother Eva recently got injured by a branch, she received unexpected emotional support. It was a usual day at the Nyaru Menteng Forest School, where young orangutans learn from one another while their human... View Article
BEES TAKE OVER THE CAMP
Sweet, flavourful, and nutritious, honey is beloved by nearly everyone, but the same cannot be said for bees. As the season for bees comes to Camp Nles Mamse, our post-release monitoring team must be on high... View Article
EMBRACING TRADITION AND SUSTAINABILITY
The Wehea Dayak Village, located in Kalimantan’s beautiful interior, showcases a uniquely preserved culture emphasising life in harmony with nature. The Wehea Dayak are indigenous people living in the Muara Wahau District of East Kutai Regency,... View Article
A TALE OF RESILIENCE
Our Post-Release Monitoring (PRM) team at Camp Himba Pambelum in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park finally spotted Suci again. Find out how the young female is doing. The PRM team was thrilled to encounter... View Article
KOPRAL’S HEALING UPDATE
Since April 2023, Kopral has been receiving treatment at the clinic for wounds on the sole of his right foot and fungus between his toes. Find out how he is doing. While Kopral stayed the first... View Article
CANDIDATES FOR THE 27th ORANGUTAN RELEASE FROM SAMBOJA LESTARI
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia (KLHK), the Natural Resources Conservation Centre (BKSDA) of East Kalimantan, and the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation, supported by Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper &... View Article
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: WIWIK ASTUTIK
Meet Wiwik Astutik, BOS Foundation’s incredible Volunteer Facilitator. Her passion and love for orangutans are truly inspiring, and it all started almost 30 years ago with a ravaging forest fire. Since when have you been working... View Article
GRADUATION TO FREEDOM
It was a moment we all have been waiting for. Three of our beloved adoption family members recently took a huge step on their rehabilitation journey. Taymur and Jelapat moved to Badak Besar Island to tackle... View Article
RESCUE – THE FIRST STEP TO A BETTER TOMORROW
Every year, thousands of orangutans are displaced or killed due to mass deforestation, rampant forest fires, poaching for human consumption and the illegal wildlife trade. Whenever an orangutan survives their trauma or is reported captive, we... View Article
FLEUR LOVES HER SOLITUDE
Fleur is one of the 75 sun bears in our care. She started her journey with the BOS Foundation at the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre. However, in May 2018, we transferred her to more sun-bear-appropriate facilities... View Article
HOW TO FIND A RELEASE FOREST
Careful consideration is essential when determining the release area for orangutans. One of the most important factors is ensuring that the forest is productive and its natural food sources can sustain an orangutan population far into... View Article
SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR ALL
Every year on February 21, Indonesia celebrates National Waste Awareness Day. This occasion serves as an opportunity to improve public awareness of the importance of sustainable waste management for all and its critical role in preserving... View Article
THE CURIOUS CHEEK-PADDER
Orangutans are also highly curious beings. Even though our Post-Release-Monitoring team is used to our red cousins’ inquisitive nature, a recent observation took them by surprise. Our PRM team at Camp Nles Mamse woke up to... View Article
THE LITTLE INQUISITOR
4-year-old Monyo is part of our adoption family and enjoys his days in Forest School. His social skills have greatly improved; he is close with Niniek and friendly with Jeni, Ramangai, Aiko, and Alexander. Together with... View Article
MUSHROOM EXTRAVAGANZA
Meet another fascinating species that shares the same ecosystem as orangutans. While its life is short, its unique appearance is truly unforgettable. The Bridal Veil Mushroom (Phallus indusiatus) is a type of fungus that grows solitary... View Article
FINE FOREST FORAGERS
Orangutans, a species that spends most of their time in the trees, can consume a vast variety of foods. Their excellent climbing abilities enable them to obtain fruits and other food sources inaccessible to ground-dwelling animals.... View Article
HELLO, GOODBYE
When our Post-Release Monitoring (PRM) team was recently on patrol, the canopy suddenly started rustling – and a surprising visitor appeared. It was Justin, a male orangutan released into the Kehje Sewen Forest in 2017. The... View Article
MEMA GETS PROMOTED
At now seven years old, Mema is in the sub-adult development phase. This stage of her life comes with quite a few changes as she grows and matures. Find out how they manifest themselves in Mema’s... View Article
PURUN REPLACES PLASTIC
BOS collaborates with indigenous communities to use locally grown grass as a polybag substitute for reforestation projects. Purun (Lepironia articulata) is a type of rush or grass of the Cyperaceae family that grows in Indonesia’s peatlands, especially on the... View Article
A NEW LITTLE STUDENT
The BOS Foundation has once again rescued a juvenile orangutan in a collaborative effort. The rescue team picked up the young female in mid-September 2023. When Basar saw the team for the first time, she showed... View Article
BENI’S REMARKABLE PROGRESS
In the heart of Central Kalimantan’s Salat Island cluster, we catch up with everybody’s darling, Big Boy Beni. Since 2019, the ‘Orangutan Jungle School’ superstar has lived on Badak Besar Pre-Release Island, where he endures a... View Article
EIGHT MORE WILD ONES
We are thrilled to announce that the BOS Foundation team has returned another eight orangutans to their forest home in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park. In collaboration with the park office and the Central... View Article
NEW SIGHTING OF AN OLD FACE
Can you imagine the joy and excitement the team at Camp Lesik felt when they spotted an unexpected visitor after nine long years? In the last few days, the Post-Release Monitoring (PRM) team at Camp Lesik... View Article