YAYANG AND HER HEALTHY CHILDREN

It had been a while since we had observed Yayang and her family, so the PRM team in the northern part of the Kehje Sewen Forest dedicated several days to collect observational data on these three orangutans. Before leaving Camp Lesik the team tried to locate Yayang using a radio telemetry, which indicates a signal once it detects the individual orangutan’s transmission.

After hours of combing the forest, the team - Arif, Rizal and Ilham - were unable to pick up a strong signal from Yayang’s transmitter and therefore couldn’t locate her position.

However, at around 2 p.m., the team at Camp Lesik spotted Yayang roaming around the camp. They quickly took the opportunity to observe Yayang, whilst Arif, Rizal and Ilham, who were still in the forest, continued to patrol for another orangutan’s signals.

Yayang and her clinging baby were observed spending most of their time in the trees, occasionally climbing down to pluck shoots. Sayang, who was several-hundred meters away, was observed doing her own thing and resting.

In the late afternoon, Yayang returned to the Kehje Sewen forest, while Sayang made her nest not far from the camp.

It was lovely to see Yayang, Sayang and the baby in good health and all doing very well. Yayang has proven herself a good mother to her two children, and it is a joy to witness Sayang’s progress as she matures into an active and independent soul in the Kehje Sewen Forest.