TEMON & LAHEI BREAKS THE JUNGLE RULES
Do you remember the story of Temon and Lahei, the duo who once disappeared from Forest School?
Josie is one of the female orangutans currently undergoing pre-release processes on Kaja Island. Josie is known as a shy and solitary individual because she rarely shows herself and socializes with other orangutans on the island.
Since the arrival of her baby, Josie or now known as Mama Josie has embraced her new life with deep affection and unwavering protection for her little one. Her maternal instincts are remarkably strong, evident in how she constantly watches over and shields her baby. A significant shift in her daily habits can also be observed, especially in her reduced presence at Feeding Platform Kalawau, a place she used to frequent.
Read also: THE UNBREAKABLE BOND BETWEEN MOTHER AND CHILD
One of the main reasons Josie prefers to stay deep in the forests of Kaja Island is the ongoing fruiting season, particularly in the Kaja Bangamat area. With an abundant supply of fruit available, Josie no longer relies on the food provided by the technicians. This has become a valuable opportunity for her to introduce her baby to a variety of natural forest fruits, helping the little one learn which foods are safe to consume in the wild.
Beyond the fruiting season, Josie also actively avoids the presence of male orangutans on the island. Males often chase and attempt to force females into copulation. As a mother with a young infant, Josie is unwilling to take that risk. To ensure her baby’s safety, she chooses to stay away from their reach and settle in safer areas within the forest.
In addition to avoiding males, Josie has also become more cautious around humans, including the technicians who provide food and observe the orangutans on the island. Whenever she spots them approaching, she maintains a safe distance. However, once the technicians leave and the sound of the klotok (motor-boat) fades into the distance, Josie cautiously approaches the feeding platform to grab a small amount of fruit before retreating back into the forest.
Currently, the island is experiencing a period of stability. Fruits from the guava family are abundant, serving as a natural food source for the orangutans. Additionally, water levels on the island remain stable, not too flooded, yet not too dry, allowing Josie and the other orangutans to move around more freely.
Read also: KHEAL'S RESOURCEFULNESS KNOWS NO LIMITS
Josie’s journey as a mother is still far from over. Her decision to keep her distance from potential threats while ensuring her baby learns to forage in the forest demonstrates her remarkable maternal instincts. We continue to closely monitor Josie and her baby with great anticipation, eagerly awaiting the day when the little one grows strong and independent, just like its resilient and devoted mother.
Do you remember the story of Temon and Lahei, the duo who once disappeared from Forest School?
When people think of bears, the image that usually comes to mind is that of large and powerful creatures such as grizzlies or polar bears. Yet in Southeast Asia lives the smallest bear in the world is a the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus).
Since Kopral was moved to Socialization Enclosure in last year, his movements have become noticeably more active.
