Becky is BOS Australia’s Enrichment Volunteer Coordinator. We caught up with her before she heads back to Borneo for the upcoming season. How did you get involved with BOS and orangutan conservation? I’ve always been deeply... View Article
With up to 97% DNA similarity, it is not surprising that the behaviour and intelligence of orangutans often display remarkably human-like traits. Let’s explore 10 fascinating facts that highlight the similarities between orangutans and humans. Orangutans... View Article
Not all orangutan behaviours are the same. One significant difference lies between wild and rehabilitated orangutans. Although they belong to the same species, their different life experiences play a significant role in shaping their unique behaviour.... View Article
Jenny, Momo, Nia, Esa and Indri were all rescued this year after enduring traumatic experiences. They are now safe in the care of BOS Foundation’s rehabilitation teams. While their stories are heartbreaking, they are also filled... View Article
After graduating from Forest School and mastering essential survival skills, Bumi is ready for his next big challenge—he recently moved to Bangamat Pre-Release Island, the last step on his rehabilitation journey. Together with his friend Monita,... View Article
Dr Kateryna Makova holds the Verne M. Willaman Chair of Life Sciences and is a Professor of Biology at Pennsylvania State University, USA. She is also the co-author of a groundbreaking study that, for the first... View Article
In two separate transfers from our rehabilitation centers in Central and East Kalimantan, the BOS Foundation team released six and five orangutans back into the wild, bringing the total number of orangutans reintroduced since 2012 to... View Article
We have completed the construction of our new Forest School at our relocated Nyaru Menteng Centre, and our students are back in class. The youngest ones especially had a blast when their moving day finally arrived. ... View Article
Every day is an adventure at Forest School—and for the cheekiest of our rescued friends, that often means trouble. When accidents happen, our veterinarians must respond quickly. Therefore, having a nearby, well-equipped clinic is essential, not... View Article
The Post-Release Monitoring team in the Bukit Batikap Protection Forest recently observed Inung and her offspring, Indie, who frequently visit their camp. However, this time, Inung had a special surprise for them. Inung and Indie were... View Article
In addition to 116 orangutans, our Samboja Lestari Centre currently accommodates 76 sun bears. Many of them are orphaned cubs who need nursery care and go to Forest School, similar to our orangutans. “Sun bear cubs... View Article
Patrick Rouxel serves as a consultant for the BOS Foundation’s Sun Bear Program. His unwavering passion and commitment to improving the facilities of the sun bears at Samboja Lestari are essential to their well-being. What inspired... View Article
BOS supports not only orangutans and sun bears but also the indigenous communities living in and around the forests of Kalimantan. We proudly uphold their traditions, such as the Hudoq Festival of the Dayak people, passed... View Article
Orangutans go to the dentist, too. Our veterinarians handle everything from serious adult procedures to playful check-ups for young ones. Recently, Herkules wasn’t feeling well. He was suffering from cavities and a fractured root tooth, which... View Article
We have recently welcomed a new infant orangutan at the Samboja Lestari Rehabilitation Centre. Little Jenny’s rescue story began when a villager found her alone on an oil palm plantation. Believing she was a macaque, he... View Article
Do you remember the story of Hamzah crashing Lesan and Sayang’s party? It’s been two years since orangutan Sayang and her baby, along with Lesan and her offspring, last celebrated at Camp Lesik. Recently, they returned... View Article
We spoke with veterinarian and animal welfare specialist Dr Fransiska Sulistyo about the future of unreleasable orangutans. Could you tell our readers a little bit about your history with BOS? I graduated as a veterinarian in... View Article
Since 2020, the BOS Foundation has worked with the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada and the Bogor Agricultural University to install camera traps in the Bukit Batikap Protected Forest. Although they are called camera... View Article
We are thrilled to announce that on 10 November 2024, our beloved Meryl finally embraced her freedom in the wild after being released into Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park. The spirited female began her new... View Article
Sanctuary Islands are not just islands; they offer life-changing opportunities for orangutans, who would otherwise be condemned to live in cages. Not all residents of the BOS Foundation’s rehabilitation centres can return to a natural forest... View Article
BOS Foundation’s Samboja Lestari Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre is also a sanctuary for rescued sun bears. Recently, we welcomed a new arrival—a tiny sun bear cub named Andre, just around two months old. In early... View Article
We are thrilled to announce that we recently joined “Include a Charity”, a social change campaign that aims to encourage more Australians to pledge a charitable gift in their Will. Did you know that gifts pledged... View Article
While season 3 of Orangutan Jungle School is finally airing, we are thrilled to have added this season’s star to our adoption program. Please welcome Bumi. The seven-year-old arrived at our Nyaru Menteng centre on 18... View Article
Our dedicated team of excellent veterinarians is essential in our efforts to save orangutans from extinction. They are available 24/7, from when an orphaned or displaced orangutan arrives at one of our centres until they are... View Article
We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beloved orangutan Romeo. It is an understatement to say that this Samboja Lestari resident will be greatly missed by our teams and all who have met him.... View Article
Du, a repatriated female from Thailand, is a beacon of hope for our orangutan conservation efforts. She not only raised three of her own children but also adopted a baby boy from her best friend. Prepare... View Article
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
We have not one but two beautiful opportunities for you to support our cause this festive season and spread some cheer for our amazing red cousins. While we are celebrating each successful release, we must not... View Article
We are thrilled to report that we brought another twelve orangutans home. In mid-November, our parent organisation, the BOS Foundation, successfully conducted their 68th orangutan release as a monumental back-to-back airlifting operation. It was a long-planned... View Article
Michel Zwecker has been BOS Australia’s Philanthropy Manager for the past three years. He will soon be moving on, but before he leaves, we asked him to share some insights about his critical work. How vital... View Article
