We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that Tommy, one of OFI Australia’s beloved foster orangutans, has officially returned to the wild!

Tommy was permanently released into the lush rainforests of the Lamandau Reserve late last year, alongside two other males, Ponti (his former room-mate) and Yanci. The trio began their new lives at Camp Siswoyo, joining a growing number of rehabilitated orangutans now relishing their new-found freedom.

Tommy watches intently as he travels upriver in his transport cage.

In true Tommy fashion, he remained calm and observant throughout the long journey to his release site, quietly taking in the world around him as he travelled upriver by speedboat. When the transport cage opened, he leapt out with confidence and purpose. Within moments, he was high in the canopy, surveying the forest before disappearing into the trees.

We are pleased to share Tommy’s release video with you so you can experience this incredible moment for yourself; the culmination of years of care, patience, and dedicated rehabilitation.

In the first few days after his release, Tommy stayed close to Camp Siswoyo as he adjusted to his new surroundings. On the third day, he ventured further after encountering another adult male, Niko. The OFI team later saw him at neighbouring Camp Gemini, comfortably settled in the trees behind the staff quarters. Rangers report that Tommy is an excellent climber and builds strong new nests each night; all signs of a capable, healthy orangutan adapting beautifully to life in the wild.

Just last week, Tommy made a surprise return visit to Camp Siswoyo. He sat calmly in front of the camp building for a short while, looking relaxed, healthy, and very much at ease, before heading back into the forest.

Tommy when he arrived at the Care Centre as an infant.

Tommy arrived at the Orangutan Care Centre and Quarantine as a vulnerable young orphan. Today, he has grown into a strong, independent orangutan with all the skills he needs to thrive. Watching his transformation from a timid youngster into a confident adult has been one of the great privileges of our work.

Watch how Tommy has grown over the years under our care.

Rehabilitating and releasing an orangutan is a complex, multi?year process requiring time, patience, and commitment. It involves protecting and patrolling habitat, restoring forest land, and ensuring safe environments where orangutans can be released and monitored. Before release, each orangutan receives a full health check and is microchipped. Once released, our team continues to observe them from a distance to ensure they adapt well to their new surroundings.

It has been a long journey to rehabilitate Tommy and we couldn’t have done it without you. Special thanks to Tommy’s foster parents who have been there for him every step of the way. Your generosity and compassion have helped give Tommy the life he deserves and we are so incredibly grateful.

Tommy as a strong healthy adult, ready to return to the wild.

We are currently caring for over 260 orphaned and displaced orangutans at our Care Centre who need your love and support. Please consider joining our foster program and helping our orphans on their rehabilitation journey. You can learn more about our orphan orangutans and foster them here.

With love from Tommy and all of us at OFI Australia.