My name is Rengga, and I am an orangutan veterinarian. It's so lovely to meet you!
I have recently started working with the amazing orangutans at the BORA Rescue Centre in East Borneo. Every day, I get to care for these beautiful, clever, and loving animals. And guess what? You helped me get here!
This is me with Harapi at Jungle School. Such a sweet moment!
I grew up in East Java, where I first studied to become a vet at Airlangga University. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of being a wildlife vet. But not just any wildlife vet…I’ve always wanted to work with orangutans!
Since high school, I’ve seen Indonesia’s beautiful forests being cut down. I’ve seen animals lose their homes. I’ve seen orangutans, a Critically Endangered species, pushed to the edge of Extinction. I always knew in my heart this was where I could help.
Last July, I was lucky enough to join COP School, an intensive wildlife training program run by Centre for Orangutan Protection in Yogyakarta, Java. And you helped make that possible! Your kindness gives people like me the chance to learn, grow, and follow our dreams in wildlife conservation.
At COP School, I met so many amazing friends, and it was a gateway to my dream job. I learnt so much about orangutan conservation, and the experience helped lead me to where I am today. Working at BORA, and using my skills to care for orangutans every single day!
My group of amazing graduates from COP School in July 2025.
Let me show you what a normal day looks like for me as an orangutan vet:
7.20am: my daily routine begins as I leave for work. I head straight to the canteen for breakfast, and then to the clinic.
8.00am: We start with a daily briefing, and plan what we need to do. After that, we do health checks on all of the orangutans in our care.
10.00am: After the checkups, we prepare a daily medical report to record the findings. If an orangutan seems unwell, we run tests like blood checks to find out why.
1:00pm: In the afternoon I attend Jungle School (one my favourite parts of the day!) and observe the orangutans. Observations help us to stay on top of their health and wellbeing.
3.00pm: Later in the afternoon, we do more heath checks, making sure all is well after Jungle School.
Here are a few more lovely moments with Harapi at Jungle School:
Attending Jungle School is a very special experience, seeing orangutans swing, climb and explore in their natural environment. I am always entertained by their unique behaviours!
For me, the most interesting thing I am learning about orangutans is that they have feelings. I often tell the orangutans about my day, and how I am feeling. There is one orangutan, Astuti, who I truly believe understands me. She looks me directly in the eyes and pats my shoulder, as if to say “it’s okay”. It’s happened many times now. I swear, orangutans have feelings and they understand!
Another special moment I’ve had recently is with Aman, a fierce personality. When he fell ill, we took turns to treat Aman, comforting him and nursing him back to health. Since then, I have felt a strong connection with him. He often hugs me and communicates with me, as if we understand each other. Aman has now recovered, but he still hugs me, and I miss him when I don't see him.
I couldn’t resist sharing this video of Aman and Astuti together at Jungle School. Two sweet, gentle. and caring souls!
This is my dream job. It is important work, and I am so proud to do it.
And none of this happens without you!
Because of you, orangutans are getting a second chance. Because of you, they can return to the forest where they belong. And their species has hope for the future.
Thank you for standing with them, and with me, as we work every day to care for them 🫶
Program: Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance (BORA)
Location: East Borneo, Indonesia
Program Partner: BORA is a collaboration with our COP partners, and the Ministry of Forestry 🌳