While many all over the world were forced to restrict their movements over the last year, the orangutan infants at Camp Danielle were spared. Throughout 2020 caregivers at Camp Danielle, who undergo regular health checks and wear appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment), were able to take the infant orangutans out for daily releases into the Learning Forest. It is vital for their development and growth to brachiate and move in trees as much as possible. Holland is certainly not one who enjoys being left out or kept indoors. She knows her place is out in the forest. In the morning Holland can be quite impatient when she knows her turn is coming to be led to the Learning Forest. Seeing the other orangutans getting released from their sleeping enclosures makes her squeak in anticipation as she waits for her caregiver. Once her enclosure door is opened, Holland’s usual calm persona washes over her like a balm and she walks to the Learning Forest with a spring in her step.

Equally at ease by herself or in a large group, Holland strikes the perfect balance splitting her time between climbing in the trees and playing with her friends. She shares a sleeping enclosure with Doris, Benjamine, Amelia and Clara, so she always has someone to pair up with if need be. Holland happily uses the tyre bridge connecting the Camp Danielle playgrounds to get about. However, on rainy days Holland doesn’t mind getting down and dirty in the mud. Here Holland shows us her agile thinking and adaptability. She uses enrichment balls made from rattan to scoop up water and use them as drinking utensils. (In the wild Dr. Galdikas has seen orangutans use leaves as scoops to drink water from holes in tree trunks). Holland has continued to grow bigger and bigger, fuelled by all the fruit she receives. Holland has never been a picky eater and when out in the forest she samples the forest fruit such “karamunting” (the local name for small berry fruit that grows on large bushes and is also eaten by wild orangutans).

Holland continues to expand her territory journeying further and further. Her caregivers trust her and know she will come back but still have to keep an eye out. She may end up visiting one of the other orangutan camps at the rate she is going. Always one of the first out and last to return, Holland has been able to have a relatively normal year, thanks in no small part to her foster parents’ continuous donations and support. We are confident this year will be just as outstanding for Holland, if not better, than the last!

Click here to download Holland’s February 2021 Foster Update