FIVE BABY ORANGUTANS STARTING OVER – AND YOU CAN HELP THEM
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 with hope and serve as a reminder that each one of us can truly make a difference—for example, by supporting our adoption appeal.
One evening in March 2025, at 7:00 PM local time, veterinarian Dr. Agnes Pratamiutami Sriningsih received a call from two unknown numbers. Upon answering, a resident of Samboja District informed her about the presence of two baby orangutans who appeared to be in poor and emaciated condition.
According to the report, one of the two orangutan infants had suffered injuries from a dog bite. Our veterinarian immediately reported the information to the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) to initiate a rescue mission. A unit of the BKSDA Wildlife Rescue team, including three members from the BOS Foundation, was dispatched to the scene and arrived at around 8:00 PM local time.
Fed only sugar water and cassava leaves
Upon arrival, the area was bustling with residents. The team swiftly collected more detailed information and learned that the two female infants had been named Esa and Indri. A man had discovered Esa in a plantation, while his friend found Indri after his dog had attacked her.
Before being brought to Samboja District, locals kept the two orangutans as pets for a month. During that time, they fed them only sugar water and occasionally cassava leaf tips and treated Indri’s wounds with an antiseptic. Fortunately, the medical examination revealed no signs of rabies infection. Realising that the infants needed better care, the residents decided to take Esa and Indri to Samboja, which involved a 12-hour motorbike ride.
When Indri arrived at our Samboja Lestari Centre, she had a large open wound from a dog bite on her right temple.
Malnourished, in alarming condition
While 6.5-month-old Esa showed signs of malnutrition and appeared thin, Indri, estimated to be 7.5 months old, was in a more alarming condition. She was even thinner, had numerous healing wounds, and one large open wound on her right temple. Her right wrist also appeared unable to straighten, likely due to trauma. Now, safe and sound at the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, they receive 24/7 care in the Nursery Babies unit.
Just two months earlier, after a similar mission, Jenny had arrived at Samboja Lestari. She had also been kept as a pet for five months before the East Kalimantan BKSDA successfully rescued the one-year-old female orangutan from captivity. And today? Jenny is thriving in Forest School. She is mastering climbing and enjoying enrichment activities together with her new best friends – Esa and Indri.
Like her friend Indri, Esa was also in a concerning state—malnourished and traumatised.
Tied up and confined in a chicken cage
Over at our Nyaru Menteng Centre in Central Kalimantan, Nia and Momo had a rough start, too. Nia is just 10 months old. She was rescued from a remote village after losing her mother to human-wildlife conflict and being kept as a pet for two weeks. When she arrived, she was tiny – just 3 kilograms – and had abrasions on her back; most likely the result of being tied up during her time in captivity.
And then there is Momo, a 1.5-year-old female. The local who had found Momo kept her confined in a cramped wooden chicken cage behind his house for six months while searching for the proper wildlife authorities. When she arrived at Nyaru Menteng, her right toe was broken – a painful mark of her struggle to survive.
Promising signs for a brighter future
The good news is that Nia’s and Momo’s condition is steadily improving. Even more encouraging is their growing instinct to climb. Every morning, they are up in the trees, swinging about with thriving confidence. These promising signs are crucial for their rehabilitation and eventual return to the forest.
Nia’s condition is steadily improving. Every morning, she is up in the trees swinging about. However, she still has a long way to go.
However, despite the flying start, the journey to freedom for the five orphans will be long and challenging. They will spend approximately five to six years in Forest School, followed by additional time on a pre-release island. This is why the support from our donors is so vital for these orangutan babies.
Adopt today and change a life
The most effective way to rewrite their stories is by supporting our adoption appeal right now. By doing so, you help cover medical care, food, shelter, our unique Forest School program, and the dedicated human surrogate mothers who provide the love, protection and encouragement that our babies so desperately need.
“Every dollar donated helps us provide critical care for orphans like Jenny, Momo, Nia, Esa, and Indri,” says BOS Australia CEO Kerin Welford. “Without public support, we simply couldn’t do this work. Adoptions are a powerful way to be part of the solution and ensure these incredible animals have a future.”
Please support our adoption appeal and sponsor one of our orphans here:
orangutans.com.au/meet-our-family
Our goal is to achieve at least 100 new adoptions by 15 October 2025.
Thank you!
