The Orangutan Initiative

Rehabilitation Center: Nyaru Menteng

Age: 5 years

Current Position: Forest School Group 5

Found alone in Katingan Regency without his mother, Alexander was handed over to officers from the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and brought to the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre when he was just nine months old. After completing quarantine, he joined Forest School, where he began learning how to climb, forage, and build nests — all essential skills for life in the wild.

Now part of the Large Group of Forest School, Alexander has become more social and confident, often exploring the forest with his friends. Known for his curiosity, he enjoys experimenting with new foods like mushrooms and flowers — a sign of the instincts he’ll one day need to survive in the forest.

Rehabilitation Center: Samboja Lestari

Age: 26 years

Current Position: #4 Sanctuary Island

Rescued from a circus in Jakarta in 2006, Isti arrived at the Samboja Lestari Rehabilitation Centre when she was around seven years old. After spending time in the socialization complex, she moved to Sanctuary Island #4, where she now lives safely among the trees.

Independent and strong-willed, Isti enjoys her days exploring, resting, and occasionally playing on the tire-rope enrichment provided by her caretakers. Although she cannot return to the wild, she now lives freely and peacefully.

Through it all, Isti continues to embody strength and resilience — once a captive performer, now living freely among the trees and reclaiming her naturl instincts day by day.

Rehabilitation Center: Nyaru Menteng

Age: 12 years

Current Position: Bangamat Pre-Release Island

Rescued from Buntok, South Barito Regency, Otan arrived at the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre in 2015 when he was about one and a half years old. After progressing through Forest School, he moved to the pre-release stage on Bangamat Island in December 2023, where he continues to strengthen his survival skills.

Calm and observant, Otan spends much of his time in the trees, foraging and exploring his surroundings. Although other orangutans are present in the area, he prefers to maintain a peaceful distance, showing both independence and awareness — a balance that demonstrates he is developing the instincts necessary to thrive in the wild.

With his steady progress, curiosity, and independence, Otan continues to show promising signs of readiness for a fully wild life — one step closer to reclaiming the freedom that once belonged to him.