𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

On 8 July 2026, Manja reached an important milestone in her rehabilitation journey as she was transferred to Tabin Wildlife Reserve to begin the next stage of the soft release program.

The journey to Tabin Wildlife Reserve took almost five hours, with several stops along the way to monitor her condition, provide feeding breaks, and allow her time to settle during the long journey. As she experienced this major change, Manja showed signs of uneasiness and vocalised occasionally during transportation. However, with careful monitoring and support from the team, she gradually became calmer and completed the journey safely while remaining in good condition.

Upon arriving at the camp, Manja was introduced to her temporary holding enclosure, where her curiosity quickly took over. She began exploring her new surroundings, sniffing around, moving through the enclosure, and familiarising herself with the unfamiliar environment. Although she remained cautious at first, she slowly became more relaxed and comfortable as she adjusted to her new home.

During this adjustment period, Manja also started building a relationship with her new keeper. Developing trust with her keeper is an important part of her transition, helping her feel secure, reducing stress, and ensuring she receives the best care throughout the soft release process.

Manja’s GPS collar allows our team to monitor her movements, activity, and adaptation to life in the forest as she begins her soft release journey. The information collected helps us better understand her progress, evaluate her rehabilitation journey, and respond quickly if she requires assistance.

While Manja continues to settle into her new environment, she will be closely monitored by the team. Once she is ready, she will begin forest walk sessions, giving her the opportunity to explore the natural forest, strengthen her survival skills, and continue developing the behaviors needed for her journey towards independence in the wild.