Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation

Give Orangutans a Second Chance

Imagine being alone in a place you don’t recognize, without your mother. That was Aiko’s reality.

In 2021, she was found, just eight months old and weighing only 2.96 kilograms. She is alone in a villager's garden, likely separated from her mother after being chased by a dog. After being rescued and brought to the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre, Aiko was fragile and afraid. She clung tightly to her surrogate caregiver, crying out as if terrified of being abandoned again.

But love heals. With patience, care, and kindness, Aiko has grown into a curious, independent, and spirited young orangutan who now thrives in forest school. 
 

At BOS Foundation, Aiko is just one of the many orangutans we are committed to helping. Every year, we rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and displaced orangutans who have been separated from their mothers or lost their forest homes. Our mission is to guide them through rehabilitation so that one day, they can return to the wild where they truly belong. Today, more than 345 Orangutans are under our care.

But this journey is far from simple. In the wild, young orangutans spend 7-8 years with their mothers, learning the survival skills they need. At our rehabilitation centres, orphaned orangutans undergo the same process; up to eight years of Forest School, followed by two years of semi-independent living on a pre-release island before they are ready to return to the forest. 

Learning to Be Wild Again

At forest school, our surrogate mothers step in to teach what an orangutan mother would have shown her baby. Orphaned orangutans learn how to:

• Climb trees and move confidently from branch to branch.
• Forage for Fruits and other natural foods.
• Build nests high above the ground to rest safely.
• Avoid predators like crocodiles, snakes, and clouded leopards.

Aiko is thriving in nearly every class, but climbing is her favourite. Her confidence in the treetops is remarkable for her age, especially considering her fragile beginnings. These skills are not optional; they mean the difference between life and death in the wild. With time, practice, and care, orphans like Aiko grow into strong and capable orangutans ready to live freely in the wild again. 

Why Aiko Needs Your Help 

Aiko’s progress would not be possible without proper nutrition, medical care, enrichment, and the dedicated guidance of her caregivers. But providing this level of care to more than 345 orangutans is a huge responsibility; one we can not shoulder alone. 

Your support provides the food, vitamins, equipment, enrichment, and expert care that make rehabilitation possible. With your help, orangutans like Aiko can continue their journey back to the forest.

We are only as strong as the people who stand with us. No act of kindness is too small; it all makes a real difference in the lives of these orphaned orangutans. Join us in creating a brighter future for Aiko and her friends. Donate today and be part of their story of hope and resilience. 

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