Licensed Tourist Guide (TG6630)
(Penang & Kuala Lumpur)

Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation

Nestled within the verdant landscapes of Perak, Malaysia, the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation (BMOUIF) serves as a bastion of hope for one of the world’s most iconic primates. Established with a vision to safeguard orangutans, this foundation has emerged as a beacon of conservation in Southeast Asia.

Among the Orangutans on the Island:

B.J

B.J, or “Budak Jahat” in the local Malay language, means Bad Boy. Aged he is 41 years old in 2026, and weighs 120kg. He is the current king of the island.

Mike

The previous king of the island. He was 250kg. Mike passed away in 2012 at the age of 43 years old. He died of depression after losing a fight with B.J. A sculpture of Mike can be found on the island.

Baboon

She is 40 years old in 2026. She is the “Big Mama” of the island. At her old age, she gave birth to Orchid in 2025. She is also the mother of Jidin. Baboon arrived at Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation in 1991 from the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Sarawak at the age of 5. When Baboon arrived, she was in captivity with another orangutan, Mike. They have been best friends ever since and could not be separated.

Adam

He weighed 100kg in 2025. He is 23 years old in 2026. He is the first male born on the island.

Hiroshi

He is 17 years old in 2026. He was named after a Japanese professor who visited the island.

Manu

He is 11 years old in 2026. The 9th child of Baboon. He was born on 9 December 2015.

Jidin

Jidin is 16 years old in 2026. He was born on 5 April 2010 at 8:30 a.m. with a low birth weight problem. His weight is around 1.47 kg, which is considered slightly lower than the normal weight for an orangutan newborn.

He is the husband of Kate and the father of Isak.

Isak

Isak is 4 years old in 2026. She is a cute and cheerful female orangutan baby. She was born at 7:05 a.m. on 25 April 2022. Isak is a healthy baby orangutan with a birth weight of 1.26 kg.

Kate

Isak’s mother, Kate, is a new, young mother, and Isak is her firstborn. The keepers and the veterinarian were initially concerned that Kate would abandon her own child, Isak, but fortunately, Kate has a strong motherly instinct. Kate is also a very protective mother because she does not allow any keepers to touch or hold her baby.

Kate is 15 years old in 2026. She was born on 25 June 2011.

Hang Li Poh

On 8 August 2010, Nafsiah gave birth to a healthy, adorable female orangutan named Hang Li Po. She is 16 years old in 2026.

April

Unfortunately died in 2025 after giving birth to Agy. Agy survived.

1. History of the Foundation:

The roots of the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation date back to 2000, when a group of passionate conservationists recognized the urgent need to address the plight of orangutans in Malaysia. Motivated by a shared commitment to protecting these remarkable primates, they established the foundation as a platform for conservation efforts. Over the years, the foundation has grown from a humble beginning of 3 orangutans into more than 20 at its peak, driven by a dedication to preserving biodiversity and fostering harmony between humans and wildlife.

2. Area of the Foundation:

Situated amidst the breathtaking scenery of Bukit Merah Lake, the foundation encompasses 35 acres of pristine rainforest habitat. This lush sanctuary provides a haven for orangutans to roam freely, away from deforestation and human encroachment. Surrounded by the tranquil waters of Bukit Merah Lake, the island offers a serene retreat where visitors can connect with nature and learn about the importance of orangutan conservation.

3. Objective of the Foundation:

To uphold ex-situ conservation of orangutans in line with state, national, and international policies and guidelines.
To promote and enhance active conservation, education, and awareness programs.
To strengthen strategic cooperation & meaningful constructive management between relevant state and national stakeholders.
To ensure sustainable financing from corporate entities and other funding agencies for continuous research and development for orangutan conservation.
To diversify the role of the Board of Trustees of the Yayasan Pulau Orang Utan Bukit Merah (YPOUBM) by incorporating applied research and serving as a referral centre for ex-situ conservation of orangutans.
To support in-situ orangutan conservation initiatives.

4. The 3 Species:

Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus): Found on the island of Borneo, they are the largest arboreal mammals and are known for their distinctive cheek pads and large size compared to the Sumatran orangutans.
Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii): Native to the island of Sumatra, these orangutans have longer facial hair and are slightly smaller than their Bornean counterparts. They are critically endangered, with a population estimated at fewer than 14,000 individuals.
Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis): This is the most recently identified species, discovered in 2017 in the Batang Toru forest of Sumatra. It is the rarest and most endangered orangutan species, with a population of less than 800 individuals. They are distinguished by their distinct vocalizations and genetic differences from the other two species.

7. Orangutan’s Diet:

Orangutans mainly eat fruits. Fruit makes up around 60% of an orangutan’s diet. They enjoy fleshy, soft fruits, especially those that pop up in large crops on their respective trees. Although primarily frugivorous, orangutans do consume a large variety of food that includes leaves, young shoots, flowers, epiphytes, wood pith, and tree barks.

Orangutans favour a fruit called durians. Durians are covered in sharp spines and have a pungent smell. Orangutans get water from a variety of sources, including tree holes and leaves that fill with water during the rainy season.

8. Alpha Male Orangutan:

When it comes to orangutan physiology, there are two types of males: flanged and unflanged. All orangutan males look similar in childhood, but as testosterone increases during sexual maturation, some develop secondary sexual characteristics such as large cheek pads and a laryngeal throat pouch, giving them the name “flanged.”

Other males do not have such a drastic increase in testosterone and thus do not develop such pronounced secondary sexual characteristics, earning them the name “unflanged.” Flanged male orangutans tend to be much larger and are generally preferred by females.

9. Lifespan:

Like all great apes, orangutans have a long lifespan and can live to over 60 years old in captivity.

LIVING

Bella, the oldest living orangutan. She is a Sumatran orangutan at Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg, Germany. Born in 1961, she is 65 years old in 2026.
Over her long life, Bella has raised six of her own offspring and several adopted young, earning a reputation as a devoted and gentle “supermother.”
Nénette, one of the oldest known orangutans in captivity. Born in 1961, she is 57 years old in 2026. She is living at the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes (a historic zoo established in 1794 in Paris). Her longevity is exceptional. She is known to have four sons, and over time, she has also become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. Reports mention two granddaughters and two great-grandchildren, indicating that her lineage has continued across multiple generations.

DEAD

Puan, a Sumatran orangutan, died at the Perth Zoo in Australia. She passed away at the “grand old age” of 62 in 2018.
Gypsy, a Bornean orangutan, died at the age of 62 at Tokyo Zoo due to an acute heart condition in 2017.
Inji, a female Sumatran orangutan in the Oregon Zoo, USA, was 61 and died in 2021.
Nonja, a female Sumatran orangutan, was 55 years old when she died in 2007 in a zoo in the Netherlands.
Maggie, a Bornean orangutan, died at 54 in 2016 in the Chicago Zoo.

10. Risks Orangutans are Facing:

Orangutans face myriad threats that imperil their existence in the wild. Among these is habitat destruction, as vast tracts of rainforest are cleared for agriculture, logging, and infrastructure development. This loss of habitat diminishes the available space for orangutans to forage and nest but also fragments their populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing the risk of extinction.

In addition to habitat loss, orangutans are targeted by poachers for the illegal wildlife trade, with infants often captured and sold as pets or used for entertainment. This illicit trade not only decimates orangutan populations but also undermines conservation efforts to protect the species.

Climate change is a growing threat to orangutan habitats, exacerbating the frequency and intensity of forest fires that ravage their homes. These fires destroy critical habitats and release vast amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming and further endangering orangutans.

11. Protecting Orangutans through Education:

Recognizing the importance of education in fostering a culture of conservation, the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation is committed to raising awareness of the plight of orangutans and the need to protect them. Through a few educational programs and initiatives, the foundation seeks to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and empower local communities to become champions for orangutan conservation. By fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things, the foundation believes we can create a future in which orangutans and humans coexist in harmony.

In conclusion, the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation stands as a testament to the power of collective action in the fight to protect orangutans and their habitat. The foundation tirelessly works to ensure a brighter future for orangutans through dedication and commitment.