THE RETURN OF MENTOS
Our Post-Release Monitoring (PRM) team recently spotted a familiar face in the Bukit Batikap Protection Forest. After being untracked for several years since her release in 2015, the female orangutan Mentos was finally identified again. Even more exciting, she was not alone—Mentos was seen with her offspring, who has since been named Melly!
Mentos’ Long-Lost Trail
Mentos was one of five orangutans released in 2015 alongside Maha, Jatihan, Compost and Dewi. Since then, she has rarely been monitored until recently, when the team found her near the Totat Jalu Camp. Initially, the rangers had difficulty identifying her. However, after matching the facial features with the database, they confirmed that it was indeed Mentos—now a mother.
A Curious and Active Young Orangutan
On the first day of observation, the rangers spotted Mentos and Melly near the camp at 12:10 PM. The pair was roaming around, with Melly clinging tightly to her mother. She appeared healthy, non-aggressive, and highly curious about her surroundings.
Throughout the observation, Melly learned about food from her mother. She tried chewing on tree bark, closely watching Mentos’ every move, and even sampling lahung (Durio sp.). While she still spent most of her time in her mother’s embrace, Melly was also able to reach trees on her own and explore short distances away from Mentos.
Melly is already exploring short distances on her own.
A Peaceful Morning in the Canopy
The second day of observation began at 5:00 AM. Melly was still asleep in the nest with Mentos. By 5:55 AM, they started moving, leaving their nest to head toward a lahung (Durio sp.) tree. Mentos consumed sangkuang (Dracontomelon dao) fruit, spending her morning eating and resting in the trees.
One interesting behaviour noted by the team was Mentos and Melly’s calm demeanour during the observation. They did not display aggression and often seemed to acknowledge the researchers’ presence. Mentos sometimes even approached the PRM team while maintaining a safe distance.
Hope for the Future
The rediscovery of Mentos nearly a decade after her release proves that orangutans can successfully adapt to their natural habitat. The presence of Melly as a new generation further strengthens hope for the wild orangutan population in Bukit Batikap.
The PRM team will continue to monitor Mentos and Melly’s progress, ensuring they remain healthy and able to thrive in the wild. This story serves as a reminder that orangutan rehabilitation and reintroduction efforts focus not only on saving individuals but also on fostering new generations that will help maintain the balance of Borneo’s tropical rainforest ecosystem.
