Ever wondered who takes care of the baby orangutans at our BORA rescue centre in East Borneo?
Meet Rara, Janet and Fara! 👋 These amazing women are dedicated and loving baby orangutan babysitters. From cleaning to feeding, comforting and everything in between, they care for every rescued infant orangutan, helping them to recover, grow strong and get ready for the wild.
Rara (left), Janet (centre) and Fara (right).
Why orangutans?
We asked all three ladies what inspired them to work with orangutans–and they all agree on one thing–the connection and similarities between orangutans and humans is absolutely fascinating.
We do share 97% of our DNA with them after all!
“Learning about our shared evolutionary history with primates–especially orangutans–fascinates me. Here were creatures so much like us, capable of complex emotions, problem-solving, and even cultural behaviors. But what truly inspired me was realising how vulnerable they are. Orangutans are Critically Endangered, and their infants–orphaned by deforestation and poaching–need care to survive and eventually return to the wild,” says Janet.
A Day in the Life of a Baby Orangutan Babysitter
Taking care of infant orangutans is a big job. Babies taken from their mothers (and their forest homes) require round-the-clock care. In the wild, baby orangutans would spend years attached to their mother, receiving constant love, care and guidance.
Orangutan babysitters need to give a similar level of care to the babies, so that they can feel safe and develop their independence.
Fara explains what a typical day looks like taking care of the baby orangutans:
- 6 am start: First milk feed for the babies.
- Early morning: cleaning the babies’ sleeping crates.
- Mid morning: breakfast time, with special meals for orangutans based on their own needs.
- Afternoon: Jungle School! For 2.5 hours, the babies learn to climb, explore the canopy, search for fruit, bark, flowers and insects, and play with their fellow baby orangutan friends in the forest.
- Important babysitter task: observing and recording all activities at Jungle School to track their progress.
- Evening: cleaning their sleeping areas again before bed.
- 6 pm: Last milk feed before bedtime!
Fara and Felix at baby Jungle School–a super special bond!
The Joys and Rewards of being a Surrogate Mother to Orphaned Orangutans
For Rara, the absolute best part of being a babysitter is seeing the orphaned babies growing into their wilder selves, and achieving big milestones.
“Like finally seeing baby Felix climbing a tree without any more worries in his little face!”
Janet agrees, and says one of her favourite moments was seeing Arto produce his very first kiss-squeak!
“It was a profound moment–proof that despite his difficult start in life, those innate instincts were still there, just waiting to emerge,” says Janet.
“Similarly, seeing Harapi carefully gather leaves to construct his first nest, even if it was on the ground, filled me with such pride. These small victories remind me that our work goes beyond basic caregiving–we're helping them rediscover their true nature, one behavior at a time.”
These truly magical moments wouldn’t be possible without your support too, so thank you for helping Rara, Janet and Fara take care of these beautiful babies 🧡
Women and their Role in Orangutan Care
Fara believes that women play a special role in orangutan care and conservation, especially when it comes to caring for orphaned babies.
“Women have maternal instincts that can provide care and comfort to orangutans, especially orphaned babies,” she says.
Rara agrees, saying that “we are known as sensitive, careful, protective, and soft. We need those skills to care for baby orangutans.”
Janet also thinks women bring something unique to the table. “Our patience, emotional intelligence, and nurturing instincts align perfectly with the needs of orphaned babies who've lost their mothers. The strong maternal bonds we form help traumatised infants feel safe again,” she says.
Rara with Cinta, Arto and Harapi at baby Jungle School.
Hopes and Dreams for the Baby Orangutans
Rara, Janet and Fara hope that the precious babies they take care of will grow to be strong and healthy, with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the wild.
“Hopefully the babies can learn from each other about various skills to survive. The most valuable lessons come from their own experiences and fellow orangutans, especially the adults they meet during forest school together,” says Fara.
Janet can’t wait to see babies Arto, Harapi, Ochre, Cinta, Felix, and Pansy find their way back to the forest.
“Every day, I work to prepare them for that future–whether it’s teaching them to forage, build nests, or navigate the forest canopy. More than anything, I dream of the day I can watch them be released back into their true home, where they belong. Seeing them finally claim their freedom in the rainforest would be the ultimate reward for all our efforts,” says Janet.
Rara hopes that her role as a babysitter has given the babies everything they need through their journey of rehabilitation and growth.
“I hope they can have their own journey to the forest soon, through the release program. I hope I am being impactful to their growth, so they can soon freely explore the canopy in the wild.”
Babysitter Janet with precious little Felix.
Thank You for Being A Hero for Baby Orangutans
Rara, Janet and Fara are essential to rescued orphans finding their way back to forest freedom. But they couldn’t do it without your help. Thank you so much for supporting these incredible women to give the dedicated love and care these babies need to one day be wild and free!
Program: Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance (BORA)
Location: East Borneo, Indonesia
Program Partner: BORA is a collaboration with our COP partners, and the Ministry of Forestry 🌳