Astrid and Gadis by the Joloi River
Astrid who was released in February 2012 and Gadis who was released in November 2012, are two orangutan mothers with excellent survival and nurturing abilities. The monitoring team found Astrid and her son Astro around the Joloi transect and the two have travelled quite far from their usual range. Meanwhile Gadis and Garu, who are rarely seen by the river, were also found around the banks of Joloi River.
Astrid and little Astro
Astro is a spry young orangutan, just like Garu who is already adventurous and brave enough to play as far as 10 meters away from her mother. Vigilant Mum’s Astrid and Garu of course kept a close eye on their children while they played and sometimes Garu would approach her mother to nurse which Gadis always responded positively to.
Garu is already adventurous and brave enough to play as far as 10 meters away from her mother
The two little families tended to hide among the dense foliage of the tall trees when the Monitoring team was trying to observe them. Clearly they dislike human presence and they are behaving as wild and independent orangutans should, which is exactly what we had hoped for.
Gadis and Garu
Daisy and Monic
The Monitoring team was observing Daisy when she was seen approaching Monic. Monic, one of our pinoneer orangutans (like Astrid) first reintroduced in February 2012, and her son Messi have travelled quite far from their release point to the headwaters of the Posu River.
Daisy, a female orangutan who was released in November 2013, seemed healthy. She approached Monic which seemed to make Monic nervous and in turn she avoided Daisy and produced a sound like a human cry. Soon they were observed eating together, even though Monic still kept her distance. Daisy was clearly interested to see Messi, but Monic continued to avoid her.
Daisy
Daisy built her nest earlier than Monic and after this, Monic seemed to relax a bit and ate more vigorously until after dark. The Monitoring team couldn’t see her build her night nest because it was too dark, but they could hear her busy constructing a bed for the night for herself and her young son. We’ll catch up with Monic, Messi and Daisy to see how they are getting on soon. For now it is great to see these females and their young so healthy and adapted to the forest.
Text: Ike N. Naya Silana
Photos: Ike N. Naya Silana
