When Robert was rescued in 2016, he was far from the wild orangutan he was born to be.
Confiscated from a home in South Sumatra where he was kept as a pet, Robert had been treated like a human child. He was dressed in nappies and fed rice and vegetables. It was a well-meaning but tragic attempt to domesticate a wild animal. But Robert belonged in the forest, not in a household.
And thanks to you, Robert has been given a second chance to swing freely through the trees. Just as he was born to do.
After quarantine, Robert was transferred to the lush forests of Bukit Tigapuluh in Jambi province. At around seven years old, he began Jungle School with cautious hope. He didn’t bond with the others. A dedicated team gently guided him through the basics of orangutan life–how to climb, forage, and make a nest. They hoped he would learn from the other orangutans around him. But despite their best efforts, Robert never truly adapted. He struggled to find food and failed to build safe nests. And he didn’t recognise the dangers of the forest. At one point, he ran into a river and needed to be rescued.
Even more concerning, Robert couldn’t read the subtle cues of orangutan body language. When dominant males passed through, Robert didn’t back off. He sadly paid the price with several serious injuries from bites and fights he never meant to start.
After several unsuccessful attempts to reintroduce him to the wild, it became clear that Robert couldn’t survive on his own. But letting this gentle soul live out his days in a cage was never an option.
We refused to give up on him. And neither did you. You stuck by him, giving Robert the life he deserved.
With the help of the Magnanti family, a new chapter began for Robert. A large, forested enclosure was specially designed and built for him at our Sumatran Rescue Alliance (SRA) centre in North Sumatra.
We're happy to share that today, Robert spends his days climbing, exploring, and resting in the treetops. He’s surrounded by nature, and has the comfort of knowing his meals will come and someone is always watching out for him.
Freedom remains our ultimate goal for every orangutan in our care. But for those like Robert, who carry the deep scars of their past, a safe and enriched forest sanctuary can offer the next best thing.
Robert may never return to the wild–but now, he has a life filled with dignity, choice, and peace. In a beautifully wild and luscious environment, thanks to our community of incredible supporters, and you.
Thank you for being here with us, and for giving Robert a second chance 🧡
Program: Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP)
Location: Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia
Program Partner: This program is a collaboration with our partners at Centre for Orangutan Protection and the Ministry of Forestry 🌳