Five Orangutans Return to the Wild in Central Kalimantan

The BOS Foundation, together with Indonesian authorities and partners, released five orangutans into Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Central Kalimantan.

CYRUSTIMES, PALANGKA RAYA – Five Bornean orangutans have been returned to their natural habitat in Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan, on Thursday, 18 June 2026.

The release was carried out by Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry, the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, together with national and international partners.

The five orangutans were released in the Tumbang Hiran Resort area, Kasongan Management Section II, inside Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.

This marks the 47th orangutan release from the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the BOS Foundation’s first release in 2026.

The released orangutans consist of three females and two males: Himba, Lykke, Farida, Nett, and Semeru.

All five individuals had undergone long rehabilitation processes at Nyaru Menteng before being declared ready to live independently in the wild.

One of them, Himba, is a 15-year-old male orangutan who was rescued as an infant after suffering severe burn injuries during a forest fire.

After 14 years of rehabilitation, Himba developed strong exploratory behaviour and natural foraging skills.

Lykke, a 23-year-old female, was rescued with her mother from Parenggean, East Kotawaringin Regency, when she was approximately one month old. After nearly 22 years of rehabilitation, Lykke became an independent orangutan who spends much of her time in the forest canopy.

Farida, a 19-year-old female from Tumbang Samba, Katingan Regency, also returned to the wild. During her pre-release stage, she demonstrated strong exploratory behaviour and adaptability.

The other two are Nett, an 11-year-old male who was initially surrendered to Protect Our Borneo before entering rehabilitation at Nyaru Menteng, and Semeru, a 17-year-old female rescued from Palangka Raya.

Chairman of the BOS Foundation, Dr. Ir. Jamartin Sihite, MSc., said every orangutan returning to the forest carries a story of resilience.

“Every orangutan returning to the forest carries a story of perseverance. Himba, Lykke, Farida, Nett, and Semeru have spent years in rehabilitation, relearning the skills they need to thrive as wild orangutans,” Jamartin said.

He added that the release is not merely the end of a rehabilitation journey, but the beginning of a new life in the wild.

Director of Conservation Areas at the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Ministry of Forestry, Sapto Aji Prabowo, said the release of orangutans into Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park is an important part of ecosystem restoration efforts.

He said conservation areas play a strategic role in ensuring rehabilitated wildlife can return to suitable habitats and resume their ecological functions.

Sapto emphasised that the success of conservation is not measured only by the number of individuals returned to the wild, but also by the collective ability to protect forest ecosystems for future generations.

Head of the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Andi Muhammad Kadhafi, said every orangutan release is part of a collective effort to restore ecosystem balance and conserve Indonesia’s biodiversity.

“This release marks the 47th collaboration with the BOS Foundation in Central Kalimantan,” he said.

Head of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, Mochamad Satori, said the national park is one of the most important strongholds for orangutans in the wild.

“The five orangutans released today will become part of a forest ecosystem that we are committed to protecting together,” Satori said.

According to the BOS Foundation’s factsheet, before this release, the foundation had returned 556 orangutans to the wild since 2012. With the addition of these five individuals, the total number now reaches 561 orangutans.

Of that total, 426 individuals were released in Central Kalimantan and 135 in East Kalimantan.

In Central Kalimantan, the releases took place in two areas: 195 individuals through 16 releases in Bukit Batikap Protection Forest, and 231 individuals through 31 releases in Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, including this latest release.

The Bornean orangutan, or Pongo pygmaeus, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

The release of Himba, Lykke, Farida, Nett, and Semeru is more than a conservation milestone. It is also a reminder that returning orangutans to the forest must be followed by long-term habitat protection, post-release monitoring, and strong public support.

Their return to the wild brings new hope not only for orangutans, but also for the future of Kalimantan’s rainforests.