Employee of the Month: Dr Prima
Doctor Prima doesn’t have a favorite orangutan at the Care Center because it would, in his own words, “not be fair, as maybe I would give one orangutan better treatment than the others.” As Dr Prima explains this, he uses two pencil cases to make his point as one looks more worn than the other.… Continue reading Employee of the Month: Dr Prima
Orangutan of the Month: Krista
Every morning at OFI’s Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine, a parade of orangutans moves from their night enclosures out into the 80 hectare forest owned by OFI. Here, the orangutans spend their days outside, ranging freely in the swamp forest. Every day the forest is buzzing with activity as the orangutans climb up into the… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month: Krista
Orangutan of the Month: Goran
In the hectic hubbub of the Playpen facility, there is one orangutan who seems to have captured a true “Zen” attitude. Goran is a peaceful and sweet little boy who keeps to himself and maintains his calm and quiet character even during the busiest of days. Goran is named for Goran Visnjic, the Croatian actor… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month: Goran
Employee of the Month: Ibu Ipuk
After repeatedly telling her that I have it on good authority that she can speak English well, Ibu Ipuk simply replies in English: “I don’t speak English! Who told you that?” With everyone at the forest facility laughing about her reply, Ipuk herself is probably laughing the hardest. It is a perfect example of the… Continue reading Employee of the Month: Ibu Ipuk
Orangutan of the Month: Bali
Galdikas’ Angels: Bali Anyone staying in a foreign country for a certain amount of time is bound to experience some cultural differences. Please let me give you a small example. I can’t imagine a woman back in my own home country of the Netherlands, telling me that she is trying to eat more in order… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month: Bali
Employee of the Month: Mr. Heppy
Mr. Heppy gives a very honest answer when I ask him about what he remembers from his first days working for Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) in Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia (province of Central Indonesian Borneo): “I felt like a man, you know. I had a job, I earned my own money and I was able to… Continue reading Employee of the Month: Mr. Heppy
Enrichment: Week V
It only takes one moment of clarity to realize how important enrichment is for captive animals. My moment of clarity came last week when I was introduced to a young orangutan through long-term volunteer Jennifer Donay. Not only has this orangutan inspired a unique new enrichment program, but she also has taught me many lessons… Continue reading Enrichment: Week V
Orangutan of the Month: George Baru
George Baru* is an amazing little guy. He has big expressive brown eyes that take in the world around him and a charismatic little personality that draws people to him. If he had a bit more courage, his curiosity would, no doubt, get him into a lot of mischief. But George is only nine months… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month: George Baru
Enrichment: Week III
You can take the orangutan out of the wild but you cannot take the wild out of the orangutan. At OFI’s Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ), we strive to keep our orangutans as wild as possible so that they have a better chance of successfully surviving in the wild after release. One of the… Continue reading Enrichment: Week III
Enrichment: Week II
Hello and welcome back to the OCCQ! There have been many new and exciting enrichment projects this week and I would like to share one of the success stories with you. Sometimes, it is the simplest things that make such a difference in the life of an animal and with that in mind, let’s explore… Continue reading Enrichment: Week II
