Six months have flown by, and even when chaos rages around her, Carmen remains wonderfully unfazed. Calm, composed, and collected, she never seems tempted to join the commotion. The forest is her fortress of solitude which we are more than pleased to help provide for her. Speaking of provisions, Carmen is happy and healthy and receiving everything she needs to thrive. She enjoys all fruits, especially ones with the names of mythical beasts and reptiles, like dragon fruit and snake fruit, but under no circumstances offer her papaya. We assume, besides taste, it’s because it doesn’t have an exciting enough name.

Carmen eschews the jungle school playground, instead opting for the unpredictable and natural climbing frame that is the forest. Her feet rarely touch the ground; the canopy is where she feels most at home, moving effortlessly from branch to branch as though the sky were her highway. Orangutans in the wild spend around 90% of their lives in the forest canopy. Carmen still maintains her friendships with fellow orangutans Dodot, Summer, and Meli, but loves nothing more than finding herself a nice quiet part of the forest to be left alone with her thoughts. She is venturing ever deeper into the Learning Forest, growing in confidence and independence. High among the trees, she often hangs by her arms, slowly and hypnotically twirling, lost in quiet contemplation. Heaven forbid a branch or vine gives way, Carmen simply propels herself onto the next and carries on as though nothing has happened. Her command over her body is impressive and her grace remains intact. If things get too hot Carmen uses one of the bigger tropical leaves to fan herself down. Fortunately, she has no shortage of “fans” – both leafy and human.

As her caregivers lovingly describe her, Carmen is “a beautiful girl.” Though shy, she has a special fondness for the male caregivers, particularly Pak Rojan, who has taken on the role of her surrogate father. He is never far behind her, quietly watching over her as she explores her world. When it’s time to return to her sleeping enclosure Carmen offers no trouble and comes directly back when Pak Rojan calls to her, such is the strong bond between orangutan and caregiver. Long may this continue until the time is right for Carmen to begin the next chapter in her life’s journey.

Click here to download Carmen’s August 2026 Foster Update