Project Borneo

🐒 Meet Chiam – brilliant, bold, and a little bit cheeky

Chiam’s story is one of intelligence, resilience, and the complex reality of orangutan conservation. Originally surrendered to a rehabilitation centre, she struggled to integrate with other orangutans and was later moved to Matang Wildlife Centre in 1998 to begin jungle training.

There, she formed a lifelong friendship with another orangutan, Ghanti, and quickly proved just how clever she is—mastering survival skills and earning her release into the semi-wild in 1999.

But Chiam has always done things her own way. Known for her curiosity (and mischief!), she would break into buildings, steal tools, and even pull out power supplies—often putting herself at risk.

As she became a mother, her behaviour changed. After giving birth to Mamu in 2004 and later Apai in 2009, she became increasingly protective and, at times, aggressive. Sadly, due to repeated incidents, she had to be brought back into care permanently in 2011.

💛 It’s important to remember—this wasn’t really Chiam’s fault.

Orangutan conservation is incredibly complex, and sometimes difficult decisions have to be made with the bigger picture in mind—for both animals and people.
Today, Chiam lives with us alongside her third baby, Damu—who is just as cheeky as you’d expect!

✨ And her party trick? Her astonishing intelligence.
On one occasion, Chiam managed to connect multiple padlocks and chain her door to a wall… and then calmly handed back all the keys in the correct sequence.
Yes—she’s that smart.

🌿 Chiam reminds us that every orangutan is an individual—with their own personality, challenges, and incredible abilities.

That Friday Feeling 🎉

Leo’s got the memo.

Weekend mode: ON 🧡



📸 Peter Delaney

High Achiever 💚

Catherine has come such a long way since being rescued by the Project Borneo team.

Her story begins with heartbreak. Catherine was a victim of the illegal pet trade, kept in horrific conditions—severely underweight, riddled with worms, and denied even the most basic needs of a wild orangutan. She was deprived of the life she deserved.

Thankfully, our team was able to rescue her. While her past means she can never be released back into the wild, her future is now filled with care, safety, and opportunity.
At Project Borneo, Catherine is thriving. She enjoys a spacious environment where she can grow and explore, a nutritious and balanced diet, and plenty of thoughtful enrichment—much of it lovingly handmade by our incredible volunteers.

In a truly special turn of events, Catherine surprised us all by becoming a mother. She gave birth to her son, Leo, and continues to show what a devoted and nurturing parent she is.

You’ll often find Catherine climbing high—right to the very top of the structures in her outdoor enclosure—confident, curious, and strong.

Catherine truly is the definition of a high achiever. 🌿



📸 Peter Delaney

🦧🌿 GEORGE – KING OF THE JUNGLE 🌿👑

A true fan favourite among both our team and volunteers, meet the mighty George. The undisputed top dog at Matang, George claimed dominance over Aman many years ago and has ruled ever since. Handsome, commanding and quietly assured, he truly is king of his domain—oozing confidence and reminding us all just how strong and powerful our orangutan cousins can be.

George began his rehabilitation journey as an infant after being surrendered to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. It was there that he met two other young males, Richie and Aman—once companions, now rivals. As is natural for male orangutans, competition for dominance eventually emerged. Despite having vast areas of forest to share, these boys were never keen on sharing power.

Following a particularly aggressive encounter with Richie, George was forced to submit, tragically losing an eye in the process. For his own safety, he was transferred to Matang and into the care of Project Borneo. Over the years, George has also had several altercations with Aman—each time emerging victorious. Today, the two are housed separately to prevent further clashes, as both are still keen to prove their strength and status.

Most mornings, our volunteers wake to the sound of George’s immensely powerful long call—a deep, resonant bellow that echoes through the forest, reminding every animal nearby that he is still very much the king of the jungle.

Fiercely strong yet often quietly confident, George continues to win hearts while standing as a living reminder of the incredible power, resilience and presence of this remarkable species. 💚

Massive thank you to our incredibly talented Volunteer Facilitator Peter for this fantastic image

✨ That Friday feeling! ✨

It’s been a long week, but the weekend is nearly here.

Our animal residents – including our ever‑charming binturongs 🐾 – have been keeping the team busy, with lots of exciting moments happening behind the scenes. We can’t wait to share more with you!

🌿 A New Week Begins

The weekend has wrapped up and the pace is starting to shift.
A new week begins—and even our orangutan cousins can feel a touch of the Monday blues 🦧

Thankfully, a little support from friends makes all the difference!