Year: 2018

Bear of the Month for Sept, 2018: Chico

Among the young and innocent animals that arrive at Orangutan Foundation International’s (OFI) Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) in Central Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan Tengah) desperately in need of care are not only orangutans but also sun bears. Chico the bear is a comparatively new arrival at OFI’s Care Center. This young juvenile’s distinctive sun… Continue reading Bear of the Month for Sept, 2018: Chico

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Orangutan of the Month for August, 2018: Robina

At the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) in Central Indonesian Borneo, OFI (Orangutan Foundation International) staff provide milk for the older orangutans in OFI’s care. Caregiver Ibu Tuti always looks forward to her encounters with orangutan Robina or “cantik (beautiful) Robina” as she calls her. Indeed a beauty, Robina’s light ginger locks are long… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for August, 2018: Robina

Friend of OFI: Irene Spencer

“Into the Wild” Irene Spencer means business. “Everyone have a seat cushion?” trills her distinct east-coast American accent. Irene is directing guests to various vehicles under a lightening Bornean sky. In general she is concerned about her guests’ comfort. Today specifically, it is the comfort of their behinds. “It’s a bumpy ride,” she states, “but… Continue reading Friend of OFI: Irene Spencer

Forest School in 360°

OFI recently partnered with The Dodo to help them kick off their venture into 360° videos. Showcasing a day in the life at the Care Center, Forest School in 360° offers an immersive viewing experience never before captured at OFI’s Care Center in Central Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). To view: On your smartphone: pan and rotate… Continue reading Forest School in 360°

Enrichment, Fun for All the Animals

At the Orangutan Foundation International’s (OFI) Care Center in Indonesian Borneo where approximately 300 wild born ex-captive orangutans reside, it is a familiar sight to see Ibu Mariyanti and her enrichment team, going to and from facility to facility. With bright blue bags brimming with various items slung over their shoulders, the team members bring… Continue reading Enrichment, Fun for All the Animals

Orangutan of the Month for July, 2018: Kuba

Everybody remembers their first house. Dreams are cast, plans are made and pennies are gathered until the jubilant day the homeowner wakes up in their new bed. Given that orangutans share so much in common with humans, they may look on their first nest with a similar sense of pride. One infant orangutan in OFI’s… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for July, 2018: Kuba

Remembering Mark Schell

With appreciation and gratitude for his warmth toward the animal kingdom, Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) remembers Mark Schell. Mark had a deep passion for animals, identifying with their innocence and empathizing with those who were abused. He came from an abusive household, yet went on to be a successful businessman and investor after spending some… Continue reading Remembering Mark Schell

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Captive Orangutan Jono Goes Home

Captive Orangutan Jono Goes Home after 6 years in holding cage – Orangutan & Sun Bear Rescue On Monday, April 23rd, the adult male orangutan “Jono” who was featured on ABC’s Foreign Correspondent episode “The Baby Trade” and a young male sun bear “Buddy” arrived in Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan (Kalimantan Tengah) in Indonesian Borneo.… Continue reading Captive Orangutan Jono Goes Home

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Ant & Termite Nest Hunting for Enrichment

The Bornean rainforest contains an array of wildlife. In population size and richness of species, nothing compares to ants and termites, the “recyclers” of the rainforest. Staff at OFI’s Care Center in Central Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) use these insects to provide natural enrichment and vital nutrition for those animals who, for a variety of reasons,… Continue reading Ant & Termite Nest Hunting for Enrichment

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 24558 [post_author] => 14613 [post_date] => 2018-03-31 09:14:47 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-03-31 16:14:47 [post_content] => The Bornean rainforest contains an array of wildlife. In population size and richness of species, nothing compares to ants and termites, the “recyclers” of the rainforest. Staff at OFI’s Care Center in Central Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) use these insects to provide natural enrichment and vital nutrition for those animals who, for a variety of reasons, can’t venture out and forage for themselves. 1. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_037_forest_wm On her way to find some ant nests and termite mounds, Ibu Jitun doesn’t let a little rain dampen her spirits. She strides confidently into the forest knowing exactly where to locate termites and ants. 2. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_005_ibujitun_wm More often than not, staff have to get their hands dirty and dig, but sometimes staff get lucky and find some ant nests on the open ground. 3. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_016_antnest_wm Using a machete, Ibu Jitun sharpens one end of a branch into her very own ant nest detection tool. 4. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_010_ibujitun_wm She pokes and prods around at the dirt at the base of the trees, listening for the distinctive sound that nests make when the tool strikes. 5. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_013_ibujitun_wm But even when it sounds like she has struck insect gold, sometimes it turns out to be yet another set of tree roots. 6. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_018_treeroot_wm Once an ant nest has been detected, Ibu Jitun digs around it and then pulls it out. Bigger nests must be handled with care in order not to break them. 7. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_015_ibujitun_wm There are also termite mounds to be found. Colonies vary wildly in size and are divided into groups of workers and soldiers who serve a monogamous king and queen. 8. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_021_termitemound_wm Termite nests are usually found underground, or on tree stems where they are easier than ant nests to cut away and retrieve. 9. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_022_ibujitun_wm Hundreds of termites dwell within a single nest. Preyed upon by other species such as ants, soldier termites respond quickly, swarming out of the nest to meet a threat. 10. 2018_01_20_klinik_ps_039_termite_wm A successful morning’s work yields almost two sacks full to take back to the Care Center. 11. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_033_ibujitun_wm On the way back, the machete comes in handy, cutting away at dead branches to make way for the load. 12. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_031_ibujitun hhh_wm When you go grocery shopping, you often come back with more than your shopping list. Likewise, during their outing, the staff will also collect fruit bearing flowers that the Dayak people call “Topah”. 13. 2018_01_20_forest_ps_036_bungurflower_wm Pulling the petals apart reveals the fruit inside. Maue Kay loves her treat! 14. 2018_01_22_enrichmentforest_ps_016_mauekay_wm Carmen gets a little help opening the flower from her caregiver Ibu Sanek. 152018~1 Meanwhile, Bubu the bear cub, picks apart an ant nest with her strong claws. Ants are a nutritious snack to help her grow. In the wild, sun bears spend most of their time in the forest foraging for ants and termites. 16. 2017_12_16_klinik_ps_069_Bubu_wm Orangutans, like Kino pictured here, typically use more blunt force to access their snack, sometimes bashing the ant nests on the ground or against a tree to break them open. 17. 2018_01_22_enrichmentforest_ps_022_kino_wm And now it’s time to feast! Tommy happily raises the nest to his mouth to suck the ants out. 18. 2018_01_22_enrichmentforest_ps_025_tommy_wm Termites and ants: a bounty of protein for all, orangutans and bears, at the Care Center!

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