At the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) in Samboja Lestari, East Kalimantan, an exciting veterinary project is underway to improve the care of some of Borneo’s most vulnerable wildlife: orangutans and sun bears. In July 2023, Orangutan Veterinary Aid (OVAID) is bringing together three world-leading veterinary specialists to train and support frontline wildlife vets from rescue and rehabilitation centres across Indonesia and Malaysia.
The project focuses on dental care, heart health, and anaesthesia—areas where specialised knowledge can make a huge difference to animal welfare. Many young veterinarians in these centres are enthusiastic but have limited opportunities to gain hands-on experience with these critical skills. By providing personalised, one-on-one training, OVAID is helping vets build confidence and expertise that they can take back to their own centres, multiplying the impact across the region.
To support this, OVAID is equipping BOSF with new digital dental x-ray facilities and an air-driven professional dental machine, giving the vets the tools they need to safely examine and treat orangutans and sun bears. During the six-day workshop, participating veterinarians will gain practical experience in dental examinations, tooth restoration, anaesthesia techniques, and heart monitoring, all under the guidance of the specialist team.
This isn’t just about training a small group—it’s about creating a lasting legacy. By sharing knowledge across centres, these vets will strengthen veterinary care for nearly 1,000 rescued orangutans and dozens of sun bears in Borneo and Sumatra. The project also contributes to global wildlife health initiatives, such as the Great Ape Heart Project, helping to fill gaps in data on orangutan cardiology.
The OVAID Veterinary Capacity Building Project is a prime example of how expertise, equipment, and hands-on mentorship can come together to make a real difference in wildlife conservation. With your support, these vets will continue to improve the welfare of orangutans and sun bears for years to come.
