Galaksi reaches for the stars
Again this year, instead of giving Christmas presents to customers, Werner & Mertz will make a donation to our long-time cooperation partner BOS Deutschland e.V. (Borneo Orangutan Survival), which works to ensure the survival of the orangutan and the Indonesian rainforest. Our donation will support the little orangutan Galaksi in the BOS Rescue Center Samboja Lestari.
The young Galaksi – whose name means “galaxy” – was found all alone and in poor condition in the forest close to Bengalon in August 2021. Concerned villagers immediately informed local authorities of their discovery and took the young ape into their home for the night. Since then, Galaksi has been recovering and, along with other orangutan orphans in the Rescue Center, has been learning everything he needs to lead an independent life in the wilderness.
Playful learning in the Forest School
In the Rescue Center Galaksi quickly won over hearts, especially that of his babysitter, who gave him his pretty name. Galaksi found in her a loving surrogate mother who helps him overcome his trauma.
Despite a somewhat difficult start, he has since turned into a lively and adventurous pupil. In the Forest School the young orangutans are shown how to build a nest for sleeping, which plants and fruits are edible and how to use tools to open tasty fruit, for example. They learn from their BOS caretakers everything that older orangutans living alone in the rainforest have to know and do.
After years of learning the necessities of life in the Forest School, the orangutans move on to Orangutan University. On pre-release islands, they have to rely on themselves and show that they are ready for release. If the protected apes get along there, BOS returns them to the wilderness, where they can finally enjoy the life they were meant to lead.
Galaksi‘s life so far
It will be a while before Galaksi can be released. He was forced to take a break when a crack in his thigh bone was discovered. The Forest School had to go on without the little orangutan. However, his time in the Baby House was well spent with his babysitter. Under her guidance, he practiced building a nest with leaves and young branches. There was no time for boredom! He quickly regained his appetite and couldn’t get enough of his favorites—dragon fruit and bananas—and milk. What good luck! The tiny tornado Galaksi was soon back in the forest, climbing energetically in the trees with his friends.
With our company‘s financial support, we make it possible for young orangutans like Galaksi to get such good care. In the treetops he comes closer to the stars and someday he’ll be able to live free on his own. We wish you good luck on your way, little orangutan!
