THE CLINGY RUMBA

In 2022, we took in several young, orphaned orangutans at our rehabilitation centres in Nyaru Menteng and Samboja Lestari. Rumba was less than 12 months old when she arrived at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Central Kalimantan. This beautiful baby girl was voluntarily handed over by residents of Kasongan, Katingan Regency after she had been kept as a pet for one month. Once Rumba had reached a stable condition, she was placed in the small Forest School group. 

Young orangutans, like human children, all have unique characteristics. They can be active, diligent, lazy, or incredibly curious. Rumba is somewhat of a loner who spends most of her time clinging to her surrogate mother in Forest School. The only other orangutan she will play with is Iqo, a friend she met during her time in quarantine. Forest School is dotted with muddy puddles and this is where Rumba likes to spend a lot of time playing. 

Read also: LITTLE IQO'S STORY: FROM RESCUE TO FOREST SCHOOL

Apart from her time spent in puddles, Rumba is not very active in Forest School: She usually takes a nap in the hammock the surrogate mothers sit in while observing the orangutans playing in the trees. The surrogate mothers have been forced to give up their hammocks on several occasions so Rumba can take a nap.

Rumba is very clingy with the surrogate mothers. When a surrogate mother moves from one position to another, even just to get fruit from the basket, Rumba will cry out, as if afraid of being left behind. Despite being insecure, Rumba is a quick learner. She recently learned to climb trees and eat forest leaves. She is not picky and will eat whatever the surrogate mothers offer her, especially when our veterinarian gives her bananas and vitamin C.

According to our veterinary team, Rumba has remained in good health. She is also becoming more active in Forest School. We hope she will continue to grow in confidence and independence, so that she can someday be free to explore the forests of Kalimantan.