Enrichment Workshops in Borneo

February 2016

Samboja Lestari and Nyaru Menteng Workshops

The BOS Foundation Enrichment team in Samboja Lestari and Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Reintroduction Programs picked up new knowledge in building more enrichment infrastructures, thanks to the Shape of Enrichment who conducted workshop series in Samboja Lestari and Nyaru Menteng the past 2 weeks. The workshop was as result of collaboration between BOS Foundation, BOS Australia, Top and Pamela Conder, Zoos Victoria, Aussie Dog, and Shape of Enrichment. Valerie Hare from the Shape of Enrichment, gave workshop participants some new insight on the purpose and principles of building enrichment installations. All enrichment tools are made to stimulate and enhance animals’ abilities related to foraging and tool use.

The first workshop at Samboja Lestari was attended by delegates from 13 organisations, including SOCP, Animals Indonesia, IAR, Semarang Zoo, COP, OCC (OFI), and Save Borneo Wildlife. Since the workshop was held indoor and outdoor, it was quite logistically challenging to move 40 people around Samboja Lestari. Valerie and Kylise Hare did an amazing job delivering enrichment information and processes in an interesting and engaging way. Valerie is a long time expert in enrichment installation. There was a lot of information to take in and the delegates remained enthusiastic through the long lectures. Fisca and Dian helped translating materials given by Valerie and Kylise for the participants.


Valerie from Shape of Enrichment

The practical sessions of building, installing and evaluating the enrichment were great fun. The participants showed great team spirit, and they gave wonderful feedback with the comments showing how much they had all learnt.

At Nyaru Menteng, all staff were given the opportunity to attend three lunchtime lectures. Representatives from the medical team, technicians, cleaners, welders and baby sitters all came down to the Information Centre where the workshop was held. It was really nice to see staff members come in on their days off to learn about enrichment. Here, Christian and Nick helped with the interpretations.

The team also ran a focal group over six days going into more detail about enrichment including data collection. The focal group mainly composed of the enrichment team but the welding team needs to get a special mention for staying focused through some of these long lectures and being part of the focal group.


The focal team went on to build, install and evaluate enrichment for the forest school orangutans. Ten new enrichment designs were installed, overall very successful. The enrichment team especially was showing passion to learn and implement new ideas they obtained form the workshop. This shows how dedicated this team is.

Thanks to the workshop the BOS Foundation is now more ready to provide a better care for our rehabilitated orangutans!

Text by: Fleur Butcher from Zoos Victoria

Below are further images of the Enrichment workshops which show some items used for enrichment, as well as team work and problem solving, all key facets in the process. Further images and updates can be found on our facebook page.

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