Category: Stories

Looking into the eyes of an orangutan…

“Looking into the calm, unblinking eyes of an orangutan we see, as through a series of mirrors, not only the image of our own creation but also a reflection of our own souls and an Eden that once was ours.” -Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas, from Reflection of Eden Share this story  

Orangutans Acting Wild: Building Nests, Making Friends, and Eating Upon Release into the Forest

Orangutans Acting Wild: Building Nests, Making Friends, and Eating Upon Release into the Forest With the release of four orangutans, Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) has now released a total of twenty-seven individuals into the wild during 2017. Two females, Sindora and Sullivan, and two males, Scotch and Murray, were the most recent orangutan releases into… Continue reading Orangutans Acting Wild: Building Nests, Making Friends, and Eating Upon Release into the Forest

Orangutan of the Month for Oct, 2017: Voyce

For orangutan infant orphan “Voyce”, OFI’s Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) in Central Borneo was a light that brightened his once uncertain future. Voyce had developed a serious parasitic worm infection that caused gastrointestinal distention. He had a large, visible swelling of the abdomen. While some parasites develop and live within their host unnoticed, the… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for Oct, 2017: Voyce

Adult Orangutan and Young Malayan Sun Bear Rescued from Grim Captive Conditions for Return to Wild

On Tuesday, May 9th, an adult male orangutan “Jacko” and young Malaysian sun bear “Chico”arrived in Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan (Kalimantan Tengah) in Indonesian Borneo. They were welcomed by Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas and staff from Orangutan Foundation International (OFI). Fourteen year old orangutan Jacko was discovered in August of 2014, living in a private… Continue reading Adult Orangutan and Young Malayan Sun Bear Rescued from Grim Captive Conditions for Return to Wild

Orangutan of the Month for Sept, 2017: Karaba

Karaba is a unique orangutan with her own distinctive expressions and mannerisms. Orangutan facial expressions give hints as to their emotions at a given time. For example, playful infants will sometimes stretch open their mouths, almost like a yawn, just before playing a trick on a staff member or another orangutan. When Karaba drops her… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for Sept, 2017: Karaba

Orangutan of the Month for August 2017: Berman

Berman is a beautiful orangutan with plentiful bright orange hair. A tiara of darker orange hair frames the front crest of her head. While manoeuvring through the matrix of branches and trees, Berman is followed by a shadow of orange as her hair flows behind her.   Her symmetrical facial features are accented with light… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for August 2017: Berman

Orangutan of the Month for July 2017: Patricia

At the Orangutan Care Centre and Quarantine (OCCQ), Patricia shines as a unique orangutan with an unforgettable personality. Her tranquil and relaxed disposition is infectious. Her gentle nature creates a calming atmosphere about her. Patricia exudes independence and an air of breezy sophistication, taking her time transitioning between activities and setting her own pace. Relaxed… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for July 2017: Patricia

Buddies in Arms

Buddy systems frequently develop among the young orphaned orangutans at the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ).     Craving the comfort they would have received from their mothers for six to as many as ten years, the orangutans make friends, often in pairs.       Friendships come in handy to the orphans during… Continue reading Buddies in Arms

Orangutans Return Home to The Forest

Five Critically Endangered Bornean Orangutans Return Home to the Forest On February 22nd, Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) released five rehabilitated wild born ex-captive orangutans into the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve forest. These five orangutans, originally orphaned by deforestation, were released “home” into their original forest habitat. Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) and The Rimba Raya Biodiversity… Continue reading Orangutans Return Home to The Forest

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Five Critically Endangered Bornean Orangutans Return Home to the Forest

On February 22nd, Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) released five rehabilitated wild born ex-captive orangutans into the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve forest. These five orangutans, originally orphaned by deforestation, were released “home” into their original forest habitat. 2017-02-22_Release_RimbaConcessionForest_eeg_085_wm Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) and The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve, an InfiniteEARTH Project, enjoy a field conservation partnership. The Reserve, ideal orangutan habitat consisting of primary peat swamp forest, was envisioned as a release site for returning rehabilitated ex-captive orangutans to the wild a decade ago. With the release of five orangutans on February 22nd the site was finally inaugurated for this purpose after many years of planning. OFI President Dr. Birutė Mary Galdikas, OFI Release Staff, several representatives from Rimba Raya, Indonesian government officials from BKSDA , and representatives of P.T. Smart who are the sponsors of the “Friends of the Orangutan” program, were present for the release. Imung and Jambul, two adolescent males, were released first. Imung, who was clearly eager to be back in the trees did not hesitate for a moment before leaping out of the transport cage with Jambul following shortly behind. 2017-02-22_Release_RimbaConcessionForest_eeg_470_wm Mercedes and Imas, adolescent females, were released at a second feeding platform nearby. Both females took to the trees very quickly, without even looking at the rambutan fruit that had been laid out for them. Joeschmick, a flanged adult male, was released shortly after the females. There was unanticipated excitement as adult male orangutan Joeschmick, seemingly confused, panicked and jumped from his transport cage, rushing into the watching crowd of people who scattered, running away. Joeschmick, incongruously named after a San Diego marine biologist who once served as a volunteer, bumped twice into Dr. Galdikas without any harm, hugged the OFI intern for a short minute, and ran around randomly without harming anyone. Releases are always a bittersweet moment, as orangutans who have been under OFI care for many years enter a new stage of life, their true life in the forest. As Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas quoted in a short speech before the release, “When one door closes, another door opens." Dr. Galdikas later commented that the interesting thing about this release was that not one of the usually food-obsessed orangutans paused even for a second to look at the fruit provided but rather went straight into the trees.

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