It only seems like yesterday Ryan arrived at the Orangutan Care Centre and Quarantine (OCCQ), a small and timid orphan. Thanks to your continued support we have watched Ryan flourish from small beginnings to grow into a very impressive orangutan. Over the years he has progressed from infancy to adolescence under the watchful eyes of his caregivers. With orangutans actions speak louder than words and we have come to know Ryan through his actions very well. He has always been a cheeky, boisterous orangutan. Now the small and timid orphan has matured into a strong and self-assured adult.

Ryan has enjoyed releases to forest school where he has acquired essential life skills. Orangutans have a long childhood and usually learn everything from their mother. Here at OFI, orangutans learn to rely on themselves, their peers, and caregivers, to gain the knowledge they need to survive in the wild upon their ultimate return to the great forest.

Ryan has always been one of the most sociable orangutans, encouraging his peers to join him in a mud wrestle or chasing his friends up the vines into the canopy. Ryan has always been up for an adventure and finds fascination in the world around him. Ryan has studied nest making (even spending nights out in the Learning Forest), learned how to interact with his peers, and now knows how to forage for food in the forest. “He climbs so high and ventures so far,” one of his caregivers once remarked with a mixture of exasperation and affection, “it is nearly impossible to coax him back to the group.”

Ryan has grown stronger and more determined in recent years. He enjoys the freedom to roam and do as he pleases. For a long time, the only caregiver who has been able to keep up with Ryan is the formidable Pak Ateng. As such it is no longer safe for Ryan to be released to the Learning Forest, both for himself and his human caregivers.

Male orangutans are almost 8 to 10 times stronger than humans and become much less tolerant of other males, even human, as they grow older. Consequently, we can no longer provide regular updates, as Ryan has progressed to his next stage of rehabilitation, while he awaits the next chapter in his life. In short, it is time for him to leave our foster program.

Ryan will still receive the best care that we can provide. This includes daily branches for him to play with and use to practice nest making. His sleeping enclosure is kitted out with a high platform and big barrels for him to climb and rest upon. He also enjoys enrichment, ranging from parcels that he must open and sort through for treats, to flavoured fruit ices on particularly hot days, as well as surprise food and other enrichment.

The next time that Ryan is released might be the day he returns to the wild. Given his determined and strong-willed nature, we suspect that Ryan will be able to successfully go back to the wild immediately once the time comes! He will complete his journey to become a “person of the forest.” When that time comes, we look forward to informing you of this day, which would not have been possible without your continued support and donations. Thank you from all at OFI and big orangutan hugs from Ryan!

Click here to download Ryan’s August 2024 Foster Update