Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
Three orangutans are home again!
After years of dedicated rehabilitation, our partners YIARI, together with BKSDA West Kalimantan and the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Authority, have successfully released three orangutans, Badul, Korwas and Asoka, back into the wild forests of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR).
It took the team three days of travel by road, river and forest trekking to reach the release site, joined by local community members who helped carry the transport cages deep into the forest. Their support not only made the release possible but also strengthened the connection between local people, the forest and the wildlife that depend on it.
Each orangutan’s story is remarkable. Badul spent eight years at YIARI’s center learning how to live wild again after years in captivity. Asoka arrived as a vulnerable infant and has grown into a confident, independent orangutan ready to thrive. Korwas was rescued from the illegal pet trade after being sold on social media. When she first arrived at the center, she suffered from a painful skin infection and was fearful of people. With care and patience, she recovered and slowly began to rediscover her natural instincts. Today, she forages confidently, avoids humans and shows every sign that she is ready for life in the wild.
This release, made possible through the collaboration between BKSDA, TNBBBR and our partners YIARI, shows what can be achieved when people come together to protect wildlife. Each orangutan returning to the forest helps secure the future of their species and the health of the forests they call home.
Three orangutans are home again!
After years of dedicated rehabilitation, our partners YIARI, together with BKSDA West Kalimantan and the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Authority, have successfully released three orangutans, Badul, Korwas and Asoka, back into the wild forests of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR).
It took the team three days of travel by road, river and forest trekking to reach the release site, joined by local community members who helped carry the transport cages deep into the forest. Their support not only made the release possible but also strengthened the connection between local people, the forest and the wildlife that depend on it.
Each orangutan’s story is remarkable. Badul spent eight years at YIARI’s center learning how to live wild again after years in captivity. Asoka arrived as a vulnerable infant and has grown into a confident, independent orangutan ready to thrive. Korwas was rescued from the illegal pet trade after being sold on social media. When she first arrived at the center, she suffered from a painful skin infection and was fearful of people. With care and patience, she recovered and slowly began to rediscover her natural instincts. Today, she forages confidently, avoids humans and shows every sign that she is ready for life in the wild.
This release, made possible through the collaboration between BKSDA, TNBBBR and our partners YIARI, shows what can be achieved when people come together to protect wildlife. Each orangutan returning to the forest helps secure the future of their species and the health of the forests they call home.
