Bondan and Joss Release Candidate

Bondan and Joss, two female orangutans who are now leading release candidates at the Sintang Orangutan Center (SOC), are symbols of hope for orangutan conservation in Kalimantan. With distinct personalities and backgrounds, they have shown remarkable abilities throughout their long rehabilitation journeys toward freedom.

Bondan, now 7 years old, is known for her independence and bravery. She was rescued in Sintang Regency in March 2022 at approximately 4 years old in a dire condition. Bondan suffered from malnutrition, a thin body with a bloated stomach, and severe intestinal parasitic infections. After being rescued by the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and SOC, she underwent intensive treatment to recover her health.

Once rehabilitated, Bondan began an extraordinary journey. On her first day at Jerora Forest School in August 2023, Bondan immediately displayed her courage by exploring the treetops independently, unlike other group members who were more cautious. Although she once suffered an injury after falling from a tree, Bondan persevered. Following her recovery, she became even more active in the forest, honing her skills in foraging for natural food, building nests, and avoiding human interaction.

Bondan has now met all the release criteria set by SOC, including recognizing more than 53 types of natural food, building nests proficiently, mastering various locomotion methods, and demonstrating minimal dependency on humans.

Joss, who is now 6 years old, has had a different journey. Rescued in July 2019 from Melawi Regency, Joss was found at around 1 year old with a healed fracture in her right arm. Before her rescue, Joss had been kept in a wooden cage for four months and fed human food, including sweetened condensed milk.

When she first joined Jerora Forest School, Joss displayed a more timid and cautious nature. She often followed Bondan and Artemis, two of her group mates, for a sense of security. Over time, however, Joss began to show her independence, venturing out on her own, though she still stayed relatively close to her group members.

Joss is also known for her dominance in the socialization cage, but her behavior shifted in the forest school. She developed unique habits, such as taking food from other orangutans and even claiming nests built by Artemis. Despite this, Joss demonstrated exceptional adaptability in the forest. She has identified over 60 types of natural food—more than Bondan—and has met other release criteria, including nest-building skills and minimizing human interaction.

Following their final medical examinations on March 18, 2025, Bondan and Joss were moved to an isolation cage as the final step in their release preparation. This marks a new chapter in their long rehabilitation journey, bringing renewed hope for orangutan conservation in Kalimantan.

Bondan and Joss are living proof that, with collective efforts, orangutans who have lost their freedom can return to their natural habitats as independent and self-sufficient individuals. Their stories are not only inspiring but also a reminder of the importance of protecting this species and their habitats for future generations.