Holland continues to bring us joy on a daily basis. We’re lucky that she is a very inclusive orangutan, always happy to share space and time with whoever drops by. Watching her develop over the years has been a privilege, and we’re very envious of her seventies rockstar hairstyle.

Holland has two sides to her, swinging between her very own yin and yang – one super independent and the other very needy! It depends on her mood on the day. One day she’ll happily lay across her caregiver’s lap idly watching the world go by, calmly and serenely, while on another she will venture far into the forest with reckless abandon. She gives her caregivers no trouble out in the forest and always comes back if her name is called, but inside the sleeping enclosure it’s another matter.

Like most juveniles, Holland can be a fussy eater and throws any fruit away that she doesn’t want. This sometimes includes her enclosure buddies’ food as well, whether they like it or not! Mango is her current favourite, and Holland will wolf that down. She is also adept at getting the best out of ants and termite’s nests, using a rock to break troublesome ones open. Orangutan tool use is well documented and is considered a cultural learning. Tools aren’t just for practical use however; Holland uses them for artistic endeavours as well. Holland loves to play in the mud pools in the playgrounds and forest and will use a stick to draw in the mud and even craft her own little sandy sculptures. She has no problem getting her hands dirty here, but she won’t tolerate water in her sleeping enclosure. When the staff need to clean and hose out her enclosure, she climbs to the very top to avoid the water and stays there until the staff have finished their housekeeping.

At the end of the day, Holland is a nature lover, happiest when she is immersed in the outdoors and exploring the perfect wild space of the Learning Forest with its endless possibilities. One day she will pass through this threshold into the wider rainforest and become the independent and truly free orangutan she was always meant to be. Bring it on, we say. Until then, we will be here to guide her every step of the way.

Click here to download Holland’s August 2026 Foster Update