We have the most wonderful news to share about Charlotte the orangutan…
Charlotte has been released into the wild, and it’s all thanks to you!
You might remember Charlotte as our APE Achiever back in June this year, when she took a huge step forward and moved to the beautiful forested pre-release island. The island was her final training ground, before returning to the wild. For six months, Charlotte practised all the skills she learnt in Jungle School: climbing high into the trees, foraging for food, and building strong nests. All while our team kept a close eye on her progress.
At first, Charlotte still liked to make her nests on the ground. But with time, she grew more confident, finding the courage to climb higher. She began spending most of her time in the canopy, where wild orangutans belong. Soon, she showed us she was truly ready for the wild.
And today, I am thrilled to tell you that Charlotte is now living free in the lush forests of the Busang Ecosystem in East Borneo!
Charlotte’s very first moments as she leaves her transport crate to discover her new, wild home. You did this. You gave Charlotte back her freedom!
Rescued at just four-years-old from a life in chains, Charlotte has never known her true natural home. She has never known freedom like this, and it’s only thanks to you that she can now live as a wild orangutan should.
And thanks to you, Charlotte wasn’t alone on this journey. Surti, a wild orangutan rescued from a dangerous mining site earlier this year, has also been released. After recovering and regaining her strength at our BORA Rescue Centre, Surti is now healthy, strong, and back where she belongs. In the wild!
Gorgeous Surti headed straight up into the canopy, happy to finally be back in her wild home. She’s healthy and safe, and she couldn’t have made it without you.
Our team is confident that Charlotte will thrive in her new home, and settle into her wild life with ease. Her forest skills are excellent, and have only grown stronger during her time on the pre-release island. There’s even a good chance she may cross paths with some of her old Jungle School friends, like Mary, Jojo, Bonti, and Popi, who was also recently released into the same area. We can’t wait to see how Charlotte explores her new world, and share further updates with you as she settles in.
These moments are what we work so hard for. This is why your support matters so much. Because of you, orangutans like Charlotte and Surti get the chance to live wild, safe, and free. You are giving them, and their entire species, a real chance at survival.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping Charlotte and Surti find their way to forest freedom.🧡
Program: Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance (BORA)
Location: East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Run by: BORA is a collaboration with our COP partners and the Ministry of Forestry 🌳