Crystal has been with us for some time now and the younger orangutans look up to her for guidance. Crystal happily shows the youngsters like Koling and Sugar the way to play and climb. Crystal’s face has filled out with age. An intensity has come to her gaze. She went through a big change over the last few months moving into one of the outer sleeping enclosures at Camp Danielle. She isn’t alone as she has fellow orangutans, Vida, Royal, and Proudfoot to keep her company in the new sleeping enclosure. Crystal especially likes to joke around with longtime playmate Vida. The two stick closely to each other in the forest and love to play hide and seek.

Crystal isn’t shy about being alone and often climbs through the trees independently while her friends stay close to the playground. Crystal’s ambitions exceed her reach. She attempts to swing from one tree to another, but the distance is just a little much. She bobs between trees, but Crystal isn’t one to give up lightly. If at first, she doesn’t succeed Crystal tries again. She means business but she still has something to learn. She hasn’t yet worked out how to successfully forage for red ants without being bitten. She once came careening down a tree trunk screaming because ants had bitten her and she didn’t know how to deal with it.

Crystal is full of energy and curiosity. Her caregivers have to keep a close eye on her as she sneaks off to the water tap for a drink. If caregivers are not careful, she can lay her hands on the soap too. As soon as she is spotted, Crystal retreats up a nearby tree to avoid her caregivers. Finally, she sits on a wooden walkway patting her body with her hands and even rolling around in a wet puddle. Crystal is a gentle and sweet natured orangutan, but she can throw a little tantrum if she doesn’t get her own way. Other times she will show her displeasure by walking away and turning her back on her caregivers.

In her sleeping enclosure Crystal spends much time looking through the gaps in the walls, no doubt thinking about when she can get out and play in the forest. A tranquil life in the forest is a dream for Crystal and it’s no less than she deserves!

Click here to download Crystal’s August 2023 Foster Update