HELLO, MERYL AND LYKKE
Observing released orangutans is crucial to Post-Release Monitoring (PRM). It allows the team to directly monitor the orangutan’s physical health, daily activities, foraging skills, and nest-building abilities. Recently, the team from Himba Pambelum Monitoring Camp in Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (TNBBBR), Central Kalimantan, Borneo, encountered two familiar faces.
It was around 8:30 in the morning local time when the PRM team spotted Meryl among the dense forest canopy. Sweet Meryl was a long-time favourite in our BOS Australia adoption program, and we released her into the TNBBBR in November 2024.
Healthy Explorer
The rangers observed Meryl for nearly eight hours. She appeared to be in good condition and remained active, with no signs of injury or physical distress. Her activities centred on three main behaviours: foraging, resting, and exploring the surrounding area, while consuming leaves, plant shoots, and forest fruits.
During the observation, Meryl built two nests: a day nest and a night nest. Because nest building is crucial for her survival in the wild, the team was pleased to watch her impressive skills. Meryl built the day nest at a height of approximately 11–15 meters, where she rested before resuming her activities. As night approached, Meryl built another nest at about 16–20 meters.
Sweet Meryl was one of the superstars in the award-winning documentary series ‘Orangutan Jungle School’. Now, she is thriving in the wild.
Good News from Lykke
The team also found Lykke, another female orangutan, close to Meryl’s location. When first spotted, Lykke was eating suli shoots. Her physical condition appeared good, with activity levels and alertness well maintained.
Most of Lykke’s activities during observation were spent searching for and consuming food, interspersed with movement from tree to tree. She utilised various natural food sources, including plant shoots, young leaves, and fruits.
A Nest In Less Than Six Minutes
Late in the afternoon, an apparently tired Lykke chose to rest. She gathered and arranged branches atop a lentang tree (a type of meranti) around 16–20 meters high to build a nest. Interestingly, Lykke built her nest in less than six minutes, displaying well-developed nest-building skills since her release.
Observing Meryl and Lykke gives us a chance to see firsthand how released orangutans carry out their daily activities in the wild. Every encounter like this provides vital information about the orangutan’s progress after release. Beyond simply confirming their presence in the forest, they help the team understand how each individual adapts and navigates life in their natural habitat.
