Tag: OOTM

Orangutan of the Month for Feb, 2018: Jalin

There are currently over 300 orangutans at the OFI Care Center, and no two are the same. It’s never easy selecting one “Orangutan of the Month” but at certain times one individual will stand out. For her great courage and resilience, Jalin has earned the spotlight this month. Jalin arrived at Orangutan Foundation International’s (OFI)… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for Feb, 2018: Jalin

Orangutan of the Month for Jan, 2018: Ariel

On a warm morning in Central Indonesian Borneo, the caregivers of Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) prepare to escort the orangutans from Pondok Satu into the Learning Forest at the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ). Pondok (which means “shelter”) Satu is currently managed by an all-female team who care for both female and male orangutans,… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for Jan, 2018: Ariel

Orangutan of the Month for Dec, 2017: Otan

On a hot afternoon during the rainy season, a vehicle slowly pulled up in the driveway of OFI’s Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) in Central Indonesian Borneo. The van was soon recognized to be a patrol vehicle of the Sampit Wildlife Department of Indonesia. An officer opened up the car to reveal two little… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for Dec, 2017: Otan

Orangutan of the Month for Nov, 2017: Andrena

Andrena’s appearance and personality captivate. At first sight, her long, plentiful hair gives the illusion that she is twice the size of her peers at OFI’s Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) in Central Indonesian Borneo. Her richly-coloured hair seems to flow in all directions, accentuating a certain wild essence in her personality. There is… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for Nov, 2017: Andrena

Orangutan of the Month for Oct, 2017: Voyce

For orangutan infant orphan “Voyce”, OFI’s Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) in Central Borneo was a light that brightened his once uncertain future. Voyce had developed a serious parasitic worm infection that caused gastrointestinal distention. He had a large, visible swelling of the abdomen. While some parasites develop and live within their host unnoticed, the… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for Oct, 2017: Voyce

Orangutan of the Month for Sept, 2017: Karaba

Karaba is a unique orangutan with her own distinctive expressions and mannerisms. Orangutan facial expressions give hints as to their emotions at a given time. For example, playful infants will sometimes stretch open their mouths, almost like a yawn, just before playing a trick on a staff member or another orangutan. When Karaba drops her… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for Sept, 2017: Karaba

Orangutan of the Month for August 2017: Berman

Berman is a beautiful orangutan with plentiful bright orange hair. A tiara of darker orange hair frames the front crest of her head. While manoeuvring through the matrix of branches and trees, Berman is followed by a shadow of orange as her hair flows behind her.   Her symmetrical facial features are accented with light… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for August 2017: Berman

Orangutan of the Month for July 2017: Patricia

At the Orangutan Care Centre and Quarantine (OCCQ), Patricia shines as a unique orangutan with an unforgettable personality. Her tranquil and relaxed disposition is infectious. Her gentle nature creates a calming atmosphere about her. Patricia exudes independence and an air of breezy sophistication, taking her time transitioning between activities and setting her own pace. Relaxed… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for July 2017: Patricia

Orangutan of the Month for June 2017: Dodot

A procession of orangutans from Pondok Dua head off to the Learning Forest with the caregivers. Dodot peers over the shoulder of the caregiver holding her, and her lovely brown eyes are somewhat curious. When the group reaches the edge of the trees, Dodot’s attention is drawn to the forest. For a time, it’s as… Continue reading Orangutan of the Month for June 2017: Dodot

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 19542 [post_author] => 10287 [post_date] => 2017-01-31 12:55:11 [post_date_gmt] => 2017-01-31 19:55:11 [post_content] => 2016-01-06_PondokDuaForestSchool_CGD_016_Dodot_wmA procession of orangutans from Pondok Dua head off to the Learning Forest with the caregivers. Dodot peers over the shoulder of the caregiver holding her, and her lovely brown eyes are somewhat curious. When the group reaches the edge of the trees, Dodot’s attention is drawn to the forest. For a time, it’s as if all she can see is her birthright, the Bornean jungle. Within minutes, Dodot is in the canopy of the trees, barely visible through the thick foliage. Compared to her peers, infants on the brink of the juvenile stage, Dodot stands apart. She is not very interested in friendships with other orangutans or in making a connection with her caregivers. She’s content living in her own world, and doesn’t seem to need to check in with her caregivers for reassurance. Despite her more reclusive nature, Dodot does come down from the canopy from time to time out of curiosity. 2016-01-06_PondokDuaForestSchool_CGD_004_Dodot_wm Dodot doesn’t like most of the fruit that is given out for meals at the care center, including pineapples, lychees, mangoes, and passion fruit. The one exception is bananas. This is stressful to the caregivers, who would like to see her put on a little weight. But her thick and glossy hair, along with her bright, alert eyes, gives her a healthful look. In the forest, Dodot gets much of the protein and vitamins she needs from her favorite snack of young leaves. During her days spent in OFI’s “forest school,” Dodot has proved herself to be very adept at acclimating to life in the forest.  She has already learned how to make a nest, forage for food, and use large leaves as shelter from the rain and the sun. 2016-01-06_PondokDuaForestSchool_CGD_011_Dodot_wmOn this day, Dodot came down to play in the pools that have formed in the peat swamp during the current rainy season. She was joined by orangutan Maue-Kay, and together they beat the water rhythmically with such effort and concentration that it seemed they had a collective goal in mind. Afterwards, Dodot scrubbed herself vigorously with the water, even though she had a bath awaiting her once she returned to her Pondok for feeding time. As most of the orangutans in the care of OFI come in as orphaned infants, it is a challenge for them to learn the skills for life in the wild that they would have learned from their mothers. This makes Dodot’s level of comfort in the forest that much more inspiring. She seems poised for a successful release when she’s old enough, allowing the caregivers to spend more time with the infants that need a little more help in forest school. In the meantime, Dodot will continue to grow and thrive, swinging expertly through the canopy like she was born to do. 2016-01-06_PondokDuaForestSchool_CGD_009_Dodot_wm Share Dodot's story:

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