Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation | Samarinda

The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of orangutans in Borneo, particularly the Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). It focuses on rehabilitating orangutans that have been rescued from illegal pet trade, habitat destruction, or other human-induced threats. The foundation works to ensure the survival of orangutans in the wild through education, research, and active conservation efforts.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the BOSF is to protect and conserve orangutans by:

1. Rescuing Orangutans: Rescuing orangutans from captivity or dangerous situations such as poaching and illegal pet trade.
2. Rehabilitation: Providing rehabilitation programs to prepare orangutans for life in the wild after they have been rescued.
3. Release: Reintroducing rehabilitated orangutans back into their natural forest habitats in protected areas.
4. Forest Protection: Working to protect orangutan habitats from deforestation, illegal logging, and encroachment.
5. Education and Advocacy: Raising awareness and advocating for orangutan conservation among local communities, tourists, and the global public.

Key Conservation Efforts and Projects

1. Orangutan Rehabilitation Centers

• The BOSF operates rehabilitation centers in Borneo, where orangutans are cared for and trained to adapt to their natural environments.
• Nyaru Menteng: One of the main centers located in Central Kalimantan; it’s the largest orangutan rehabilitation center in Indonesia.
• Samboja Lestari: A rehabilitation center located in East Kalimantan, where orangutans are given a second chance at life in the wild.
• Program for Young Orangutans: Orangutans are trained to climb trees, forage for food, and live independently before being released back into the wild.

2. Forest Restoration

• Forest Preservation: BOSF works to protect the orangutans' natural habitats by engaging in forest restoration programs and advocating for the establishment of protected areas.
• Sustainable Solutions: BOSF collaborates with local governments, businesses, and organizations to promote sustainable land-use practices that do not threaten orangutan habitats.

3. Research and Monitoring

• Orangutan Population Monitoring: BOSF conducts research on orangutan populations in the wild to monitor their health and behaviors, as well as the state of their habitats.
• Environmental Impact Assessments: Assessing the effects of human activity on orangutan habitats is another area of focus, enabling BOSF to take action where necessary.

4. Community Engagement

• Education Programs: BOSF implements community education programs that focus on the importance of orangutans in the ecosystem and the need for conservation efforts.
• Local Partnerships: The foundation works closely with local communities, particularly in areas surrounding orangutan habitats, to foster awareness and create sustainable livelihoods that do not rely on habitat destruction.

How You Can Support the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation

• Adopt an Orangutan: BOSF offers adoption programs, where individuals or groups can symbolically adopt an orangutan and support their care and rehabilitation.
• Donations: Financial contributions are essential to the foundation’s work. Donations help fund the rehabilitation centers, forest protection, and education programs.
• Volunteering: The foundation often welcomes volunteers to assist in their efforts, whether through fieldwork, research, or administrative support.
• Spread Awareness: Supporting awareness campaigns through social media and word of mouth can help raise the profile of orangutan conservation globally.

Tourism and Visits

• Visit the Rehabilitation Centers: Visitors can tour BOSF’s rehabilitation centers in Nyaru Menteng or Samboja Lestari. These centers offer educational tours where visitors can learn about orangutan conservation, see the rehabilitation process, and witness the work being done to protect the species.
• Responsible Tourism: When visiting Borneo, choosing eco-friendly and responsible tourism activities that support orangutan conservation is essential to protecting the species and their habitats.

Challenges Faced

• Deforestation: The clearing of forests for palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture continues to be one of the biggest threats to orangutans.
• Illegal Pet Trade: Orangutans are often captured for the illegal pet trade, and many suffer physical and psychological harm in captivity.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: As orangutans lose their habitats, they may come into contact with humans, leading to conflicts.
• Climate Change: Changes in weather patterns and increased forest fires also threaten the fragile ecosystems that orangutans depend on.

The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation is at the forefront of protecting these endangered species, and its ongoing work is critical in ensuring a future for the orangutans of Borneo.