– credit, the Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance, supplied
A conservation project just announced the successful release of Popi, a female orangutan rescued as an infant, into the Busang Ecosystem of East Borneo.
After nearly nine years of intensive rehabilitation, Popi has now returned to her natural rainforest home thanks to a collaboration led by the Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance (BORA).
– credit, the Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance, supplied
Popi was confiscated in September 2016 from a household in the Sempayau village near a palm oil plantation, where she had been kept illegally as a pet. Just eight weeks old at the time of her rescue she entered into the BORA team members’ hands completely dependent and highly vulnerable.
Popi’s story reflects the wider crisis facing orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra.
In the wild, young orangutans suckle from their mothers for up to 8 years, while learning vital survival skills such as nest building, climbing, and foraging. In captivity, orphans like Popi miss out on this critical learning period. To fill that gap, BORA’s dedicated staff act as surrogate mothers, providing round-the-clock care and gradually teaching the skills necessary for independent life in the forest.
During her rehabilitation, Popi progressed through Jungle School, where she learned to climb confidently, forage for natural foods, and build secure nests. She developed important social bonds with other orphaned orangutans, which supported her emotional recovery. In May 2025, she was transferred to a forested pre-release island, where she refined her survival skills in preparation for release.
On August 10th, 2025, after 9 long years away from her natural home, Popi was transported to the Busang area by road and river. Upon arrival, she was released deep in the rainforest and immediately climbed into the canopy, demonstrating her readiness for life in the wild. Monitoring teams will continue to observe her transition to ensure her long-term success.
In a heartwarming development, Popi was reunited with Mary and Bonti, two female orangutans released earlier this year whom she had met in Jungle School. Their immediate recognition and bond underscore the importance of social connections in orangutan rehabilitation.
– credit, the Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance, supplied
“This release represents the culmination of years of dedicated care and the unwavering support of our partners and donors,” said Leif Cocks, Founder of the Orangutan Project, in a statement.
MORE ABOUT THESE AMAZING COUSINS OF OURS:
“Popi’s return to the wild is a powerful reminder of what is possible when we work together to protect and restore orangutan populations. Every orangutan rescued, rehabilitated and released back to the wild helps to ensure the genetic survival of the species. Each successful release is not just a triumph for the individual, but also a critical step in securing the future of these great apes in their natural habitat.”
The rehabilitation and release was part of a collaboration between BORA and the Orangutan Project, the Center of Orangutan Protection, and the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry.
SHARE This Little One’s Long Road To Recovery, And Hopefully, A Healthy Happy Life…