In 1987, when I first came to Camp Leakey as an Earthwatch volunteer, there were three sub-adult orangutans in camp: Pola, Yayat, and Kusasi. Two years later, I was in a kelotok which was carrying an Earthwatch team to Kumai on the first leg of their trip home. Suddenly, a speedboat pulled up alongside. It… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month: Yayat
Pola came to Camp Leakey in the mid-1970s as a young juvenile orphan along with other notables like Princess, Unyuk and Tutut. During that time, Pola joined one of the original sign learning projects I was conducting as a graduate student working with Dr. Galdikas. Like Princess, Pola was given a home-reared environment within which… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month: “Pola”
Photographs and story by Carol Ritchie I first met Ego (pronounced Egg-0) in 1998, one of the many orphaned orangutans being cared for by OFI Indonesian staff. Dr. Galdikas suggested I concentrate my volunteer efforts working to bring her out of her shell. Ego was very insecure and afraid of most of the local OFI… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month: Ego
Tracy Tannenbaum and Ron Austerlade visited Tanjung Puting in April and September of 1998 and again in April 1999. They fell in love with many of the park’s orangutan residents, but their favorite is this month’s “Orangutan of the Month”! Mohtar is an eight year old ex-captive orangutan with a sweet face and an unforgettable… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month: Mohtar
Shortly after Dr. Birute Galdikas won the 1990 Humanitarian Award from the animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Princess gave birth to her second child. In honor of the award, Dr. Birute called the newborn “PETA”. Peta’s facial features very much resembles that of her beautiful mother but her personality… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month: “Peta”
Orangutan Foundation International coordinates its programs with the support of the following Indonesian Government Agencies:
Eyes on the Forest – OFI’s Monthly Update
