Rescued Orangutan Experiences Trees and Freedom for the First Time in Over 20 Years
In anticipation of International Orangutan Day on August 19th, JoJo, the first orangutan rescued by Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) in collaboration with the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in 2009, has finally been able to climb trees and explore the forest after more than two decades of captivity.
This momentous occasion is made possible by the creation of a two-hectare semi-wild forest enclosure at YIARI’s orangutan rehabilitation center in Sungai Awan Kiri village, Muara Pawan, Ketapang, West Kalimantan.
JoJo, who is now over 25 years old, has a tragic past. In 2009, he was found in deplorable conditions, chained to a post in a backyard with very limited movement, surrounded by garbage, and with no protection from the elements. His leg was badly injured from the chain digging into his skin.
Karmele Llano Sánchez, CEO of YIARI, recalls the first time she saw JoJo: “It was one of the most difficult days of my life. All I could do was clean his wounds and move the chain to his other leg because at the time, there were no orangutan rescue facilities in West Kalimantan. I had to leave JoJo there because we had no other options.”
This moment served as a turning point for Karmele and her team. The lack of facilities to help orangutans like JoJo inspired them to establish the Ketapang rehabilitation center in 2010. The center was created in partnership with YIARI, West Kalimantan BKSDA, and with the support of International Animal Rescue. The center provides long-term rehabilitation for orangutans that were taken from the forest and kept as pets, allowing them to return to their natural habitat. International Animal Rescue’s support and fundraising efforts for the rehabilitation center continue to this day.
JoJo’s previous owner admitted to keeping him as a pet since he was a baby. By the time he was rescued at the age of 10, he had missed crucial years of learning survival skills from his mother, which are essential for life in the wild.
When JoJo arrived at the center, the team discovered he had rickets from malnutrition and lack of sunlight, causing his legs to bend and making it impossible for him to walk. He had to use his arms to move around. He also suffered from chronic pneumonia, which took years to treat.
Due to his long-term health issues, JoJo can never be released into the wild. However, the new forest enclosure offers the next best thing – a safe and naturalistic space where he can live with dignity and experience the sights, smells, and textures of the forest.
Work on the enclosure began in 2022 and was designed for orangutans with permanent disabilities, chronic health problems, or those who have spent too much time in captivity to survive in the wild. It will also provide a home for other residents like Monte and Jimo. Creating the enclosure was a challenging task, as it involved building in a forest terrain and ensuring the safety of both the animals and the care team, as well as helping the orangutans adapt to their new surroundings.
Karmele expressed her emotions about this moment, saying, “This is a very emotional moment for all of us. Seeing JoJo climb a tree, even if he is not yet fully agile, is proof that he is finally experiencing a small piece of the freedom that was once taken from him. When he first came out into the enclosure, JoJo was scared and only dared to stay outside briefly before retreating to his cage. But slowly, he has gained confidence and is now exploring the surrounding trees.”
The project was made possible through the support of the Ministry of Environment through the West Kalimantan BKSDA, as well as donors and partners including the Moondance Foundation, Orangutan Outreach, and International Animal Rescue UK.
Murlan Dameria Pane, Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA, praised the initiative, saying, “We appreciate YIARI’s efforts in supporting a better life for wildlife that cannot be released, such as JoJo. This enclosure is a concrete example of a long-term commitment to orangutans with physical or health limitations. With it, we can ensure optimal animal welfare while also supporting conservation work for orangutans and other wildlife at the local level.”
Gavin Bruce, CEO of International Animal Rescue, also shared his thoughts, saying, “It’s incredible to see the majestic JoJo in the new enclosure and climbing trees. International Animal Rescue’s supporters are passionate about orangutans. Through our commitment to the rehabilitation center with YIARI and the West Kalim
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