On November 19, 2025, in the heart of Betung Kerihun National Park, two orangutans took their first steps toward a new life. Artemis and Gieke were released into the Rongun area, a tributary of the Mendalam River that cuts through tropical rainforest of West Kalimantan and forms an essential part of this protected ecosystem. As the transport crates were opened, the forest welcomed them in its own way. Artemis immediately climbed into a tree and moved away from the activity below. She chose to remain in the upper canopy, resting as if recovering from the long journey to her new home. Gieke, on the other hand, showed a very different response. She became active right away—swinging from tree to tree, beginning to explore, recognizing forest foods, and moving through the forest with great curiosity. Her enthusiasm even led to a few early challenges: she was stung by insects and experienced a minor incident when a tree he climbed fell—an early reminder that the forest is a real and demanding classroom.

In the days that followed, their contrasting personalities became more apparent. Artemis moved more slowly, spent much of her time resting, and tended to avoid human presence. Gieke did the opposite—continuing to explore actively, circling the release area, traveling along the banks of the Mendalam River, and occasionally returning to the release point as if reorienting himself. On the third day, distance began to grow between them. Gieke ventured farther, moving deeper into the forest and reaching higher elevations. Artemis was observed searching for and calling out to her several times, but the vastness of the Rongun forest swallowed her calls. That same day marked an important milestone for Artemis: she built her first sleeping nest, an early sign of independence in the wild. The monitoring team searched for Gieke the next day. After hours of trekking through steep terrain, the team finally located Gieke, who appeared quieter and exhausted. To protect her natural adaptation process, the team decided to reunite her with Artemis. The reunion happened shortly afterward. As soon as she realized Gieke was nearby, Artemis climbed down to meet her. They spent the afternoon together—feeding side by side, regaining strength—and that night, they rested in the same tree. The days that followed revealed a strong bond between them. Gieke often led their movements, while Artemis followed closely behind. Whenever Artemis lagged behind, Gieke would pause and wait for her. Artemis also learned much from Gieke—identifying forest foods such as kubal fruit, rattan, and the bark of top (Artocarpus sp.). Together, they faced the challenges of the forest, including painful stings from insects nesting in tree cavities. Over time, Artemis grew more confident. Although she would still cry occasionally when she lost sight of Gieke, she was able to refocus on foraging and building nests to rest. Artemis was even observed building nests more frequently—an essential survival skill in the wild.