As Mema’s adopter, we are excited to send you her progress through Forest School.
Rehabilitation centre: Nyaru Menteng
Date of arrival: 1 June 2016
Age on arrival: 4-5 months
Current age: 10 years
Gender: Female
Health status: Healthy
Current location: Bangamat Island
Mema and the choice to remain within the forest:
In recent weeks, the technical team has observed changes in the appearance patterns of pre-release orangutans on Kaja and Bangamat Islands. During supplementary feeding times, individuals such as Josie and her infant Bumi, Monita, Topan, and Mema have been seen less frequently. This shift is closely linked to the ecological changes currently taking place on both islands.
In recent weeks Mema was briefly observed along the island’s edge while feeding. During the observation period, she was recorded consuming natural food from at least seven different plant species. Mema also demonstrated a wide range of vertical space use, from the forest floor up to heights of 11–15 meters. Following this brief encounter, Monita became extremely difficult to observe due to the rarity of her encounters with the observation team.
Although this phenomenon has reduced the effectiveness of visual monitoring by the technical team, it actually holds positive indicators for the success of the rehabilitation program. The ability of Mema and other orangutans to remain within the forest during the dry season suggests that the availability of forest fruits, young leaves, and other natural food sources remains sufficient. They do not depend on supplementary feeding nor feel the need to approach humans.
Mema takes to the trees:
Mema's reluctance to linger in open areas reflects a high level of natural wariness. Mema and the others prefer the safety of the forest interior over the false comfort of riverbanks or feeding platforms. They appear capable of adapting to changes in the islands’ microclimate, seeking pockets of humidity within the forest that are better preserved than open areas exposed to direct sunlight.
Based on these findings, the technical team concludes that although visual encounters with Mema and the other orangutans have decreased, their health conditions are presumed to remain stable. As long as they are still occasionally observed in active condition, their “disappearance” can be interpreted as a true sign of successful wild adaptation.
All of us here at SunVit-D3 would like to thank you all as without you what we do would not be possible.
With every sale of our kids gummies we donate to the borneo orangutans (BOS) so thank you all!
