Kim’s Wish: Go Bananas, Give Back!

• Give Orangutans a Second Chance

Imagine being alone in an unfamiliar place, without your mother. That was Aiko’s reality.

In 2021, when she was just eight months old and weighed only 2.96 kilograms, Aiko was found alone in a villager’s garden, likely separated from her mother after being chased by a dog. When rescued and brought to the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre, she was frightened and clung tightly to her caregiver, afraid of being abandoned again.

But love heals. Through patience, care, and kindness, Aiko has grown into a curious, independent, and spirited young orangutan who now thrives in Forest School.

At the BOS Foundation, Aiko is one of more than 345 orphaned and displaced orangutans currently in our care. Our mission is to guide each of them through rehabilitation and help them regain the skills they need to return to the wild where they truly belong.

In the wild, young orangutans spend seven to eight years with their mothers, learning vital survival skills. At our rehabilitation centres, orphaned orangutans experience a similar journey, spending years in Forest School before continuing to a pre-release island to prepare for life in the wild.

At Forest School, our surrogate mothers teach them how to climb trees, forage for food, build nests, and avoid predators. These lessons mean the difference between survival and struggle in the wild. Aiko excels in climbing, showing remarkable confidence for her age and her story.

Aiko’s progress is only possible with proper nutrition, medical care, enrichment, and the tireless dedication of her caregivers. But caring for hundreds of orangutans is a tremendous responsibility, and we cannot do it without you.

Your support provides food, vitamins, medical treatment, enrichment, and expert care that make rehabilitation possible.

Join us in giving Aiko and her friends a second chance at freedom. Donate today and be a part of their resilience.