At the Orangutan Care Centre nursery, infant Ryan is “Mr Social”. He likes to play rough and tumble on the forest floor as well as in the trees with all his friends. Despite some of his antics, he seems very popular with the other orangutan infants. For instance, on daily release Ryan often positions himself in a tree above a group of his friends before crashing down on them, making them scatter. He is playful and rambunctious with a dare devil streak that belies his basic sweet nature! As a very outgoing and energetic orangutan Ryan does not have a preference between playing in the nursery forest or in the “baby” playground. He often plays in each location with a group of friends although on occasion, he will venture off into the forest by himself. Ryan is becoming more independent but when unsure of himself, he still places a hand on one of his caregivers, seeking reassurance before bounding off to continue playing with his friends.
With a smiling, mellow face and dark orange hair that almost glows purple in the sun on his shoulders, Ryan is growing into a good looking young orangutan. He is not a fussy eater. He very much enjoys pulling apart the enrichment parcels orangutans at the Care Centre receive on a regular basis. He seems to especially enjoy the parcels when it is fruit jelly enrichment day! Ryan is also ‘refining’ his forest skills and often can be seen climbing the same tree over and over again, trying different techniques each time. Ryan forages for leaves and often follows his friends’ example. He will observe them and then eat exactly what they are eating in the forest.
Ryan especially likes playing with burlap sacks when such enrichment items are available. He even pulls the sacks into the forest for a game of “hide and seek”. A burlap sack can keep Ryan occupied for hours! Ryan will thoroughly investigate the sack, pulling it over himself as though attempting to dress himself in multiple ways. He swings high through the baby playground holding onto the sack with his feet, reluctant to relinquish it to anyone else.
Ryan impresses everyone with his curiosity, playfulness, and enthusiasm in exploring the forest. These attributes will help him gain important forest skills in anticipation of his ultimate return to the wild. But for now, he is still a sweet, vulnerable infant easy to cuddle and love.