A significant moment in orangutan conservation was celebrated on Friday, March 21 2025, with the official opening of the new Nyaru Menteng Center in Borneo. The event, attended by the Indonesian Minister of Forestry, marks a giant leap forward for enrichment, care and training – not only for the orangutans that will one day return to the wild. The center also houses six new sanctuary islands for the unreleasable orangutans that, for various reasons, are not able to be fully released.
The newly constructed buildings and updated amenities will enable the new Nyaru Menteng to offer top-of-the-line care for the orangutans. With new equipment, larger cages, a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic, and expanded facilities, the center now provides the orangutans with enhanced enrichment activities to help sharpen their natural instincts. This will play a crucial role in preparing the orangutans for the day when they will be returned to their natural habitat.
One of the standout improvements is the newly upgraded Forest School, where the orangutans spend much of their time learning the skills needed for survival in the wild. The Forest School has been fully reimagined, benefiting from years of experience and feedback, which has led to improved safety, care, and training methods. These upgrades will set a new standard in orangutan rehabilitation, ensuring the orphaned orangutans have the best chance of thriving in the wild once released.
Potential for future expansion
The new site is much larger than its predecessor, offering more space for the orangutans to roam, explore, and interact with each other in a natural setting. As the center is fully owned, operated, and managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), it allows for future expansion, ensuring the safety and well-being of the orangutans for years to come.
Young orangutans explore the forest school’s new facilities. Photo: BOSF
Expanding the sanctuary islands
As part of the first phase of development, six new sanctuary islands are being created at Nyaru Menteng II. These islands will provide unreleasable orangutans with a semi-controlled environment that closely mimics their natural habitat, offering a cage-free, enriching experience. More islands are planned for the future, with the goal of moving all orangutans who can live on an island out of cages and into forested homes.
More on our support for unreleasable orangutans
Solar-powered sustainability
Given the remote location of the center with limited power from the grid, solar power makes the most sustainable and efficient solution for the center’s energy needs. By relying on clean solar energy, the center aligns with the global shift towards renewable energy sources. This commitment to sustainability ensures that the center will continue to operate for years to come, while contributing to the larger movement toward a greener, more sustainable future
