Charlie is a force to be reckoned with and lately he has been quite a handful. He remains active and full of energy. One way to occupy him and use up some of that energy is through enrichment. Enrichment is especially important when the orangutans are in their sleeping enclosures away from the Learning Forest. It engages them and gives their cognitive functions a good work out. Examples include parcels and balls of rattan which are filled with peanuts and vitamin gummies before being handed out to the orangutans. The orangutans have to manipulate these and work out how to get into them. It can be a head scratcher for some, but Charlie relishes the chance to prove his abilities. He pokes his fingers into the rattan balls and makes a wide enough gap to access the delights within. New forms of enrichment must constantly be developed to stay one step ahead of Charlie.

There were plans to move Charlie over to another Pondok (camp) as he matures and graduates to the next level of his rehabilitation. However, after the first day of the move it became apparent Charlie wasn’t a fan of his new surroundings, missing the people and orangutans from Pondok Dua. It was deemed best (for now) that he be moved back to Pondok Dua, where he would be happier. Charlie was immediately pleased to be back. He bounded over for a welcome back wrestle with his buddy Howard upon his return.

As we have seen in previous updates, Charlie enjoys venturing far off into the forest. Left to his own devices Charlie will carry on cavorting in amongst the tree tops all day and all night. He has become increasingly difficult to coax back into his sleeping enclosure at the end of the day. It can take several caregivers armed with treats and plenty of patience to bring him back. His independence is admirable and a good sign for his eventual release.

We will have to work out the best approach and respond to his needs. With your continued support we will make this happen together.

Click here to download Charlie’s February 2020 Foster Update