Earlier this year, we shared the confronting story of an injured adult male orangutan named Talian.
Talian's severe facial injury soon after his arrival at BORA
On January 1, 2024, Talian was rescued by the BKSDA and our BORA team in East Kalimantan. This magnificent cheek padder had a serious facial wound and was at high risk of infection and death. He had a severe tear on his left upper lip, which was inflamed with dead tissue, and a deep, ulcerated wound on his left cheek pad. Additionally, he suffered trauma to his left eye, resulting in blindness.
Immediate medical intervention was crucial. Talian underwent surgery to flush and suture his wounds, received long-acting antibiotics, and pain relief medication. Thanks to multiple surgeries and six months of dedicated care from the BORA staff, Talian regained his health and strength and is now free again! On June 12, he was released into the Busang ecosystem in East Kalimantan.
Releasing an orangutan, especially one of his size, is a mammoth task involving many people. This recent trek to the jungle included anesthesia and a long journey by car, boat, and on foot. The release team also needed to be quick on their feet once the transport crate was opened!
After briefly taking in his surroundings and banging the transport crate, Talian majestically made his way into the canopy. He was followed by the post-release monitoring team and was observed foraging and making nests.
The majestic Talian in his new forest home
A huge thank you to the incredible BORA staff for their heroic efforts and to our supporters for making rescues like this possible. Your support saves lives!
BORA works under the Ministry of Environment & Forestry.
BORA is an alliance between the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) and The Orangutan Project.
