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Home > Foster Updates > Tommy > August 2024 – Tommy

We are thrilled to provide an update on Tommy, a lively and independent orangutan thriving under our care. Tommy continues to show remarkable progress, and we are excited to share his latest activities and behaviours.

Tommy spends his days in the forest where he showcases his adventurous spirit. He enjoys the company of his friend Ponti, with whom he shares a sleeping enclosure. Despite his social accommodations Tommy often prefers to explore the forest alone, demonstrating his independent nature. His love for juicy fruits, enrichment parcels, and corn balls keeps him engaged and content.

Tommy is in excellent physical condition. He is at a healthy weight and his dark hair has grown thicker and glossy, further indicating his good health. Tommy’s forest excursions are filled with vigorous activity. He moves swiftly, playing and climbing trees with ease. His agility is remarkable as he wraps one of his feet around a vine for stability while his beautiful, soulful eyes scan the horizon. On his arboreal perch Tommy drapes a leafy branch over himself as he climbs, blending seamlessly into his natural surroundings. He is the picture of forest sartorial elegance.

Tommy’s foraging skills are impressive. One delightful scene captures him walking along the boardwalk, munching on a carrot provided by his caregivers. This is just an appetizer, as Tommy prefers to forage for his own food. He diligently digs through the ground in search of ant nests. Just when it seems he might give up, he strikes gold and ants nests are back on the menu. He triumphantly brandishes his protein-rich feast.

His independence extends to his personal hygiene as well. Upon returning to camp, Tommy finds a bucket of water and gives himself a bath, carefully rubbing water over his long arms and hands. This bucket isn’t big enough though and his caregivers provide a larger bucket. Tommy instantly immerses himself, joyfully splashing and stamping around, kicking up a perfect storm.

Tommy’s bath time is a spectacle of playfulness, reminiscent of the behaviours observed by researchers at Camp Leakey, where orangutans have been seen engaging in activities such as washing clothing, brushing their teeth and bathing themselves on the dock by the Sekonyer Kanan River. Eventually, Tommy decides bath time is over, tipping out the water with satisfaction. Keeping Tommy smiling and satisfied is our job and we’re happy to oblige!

Click here to download Tommy’s August 2024 Foster Update