While many were forced to restrict their movements over the last year, the 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 in the Learning Forest. This was great news for Jeffrey Junior with his outgoing and active personality. He has continued honing his mastery of climbing high trees and playing around with his “partners in crime” Kuba and Rimba Raya, his closest friends and sleeping enclosure buddies. Jeffrey seems more mature these days, displayed by his willingness to share what he finds with some of the younger orangutans. It’s a heart-warming sight, seeing him allow smaller infants to sit close by as he sorts through banana leaves to see if there are any interesting grubs, and even lets them take a few. Later Jeffrey straddles all four limbs over the top of a tyre and looks around, deciding what to do next. The intense look on his face belies the happy go lucky and sometimes fickle attitudes he hides underneath. We say he seems more mature but he is still an infant!

Jeffrey has recently been honing his skills foraging for food. Many of his peers still enjoy the young leaves the Learning Forest provides, but Jeffrey has literally dug deeper and begun finding termite nests in the ground. This rich source of protein can keep him occupied for hours. Another delight are coconuts. The caregivers leave some scattered around the playground and Jeffrey wastes no time in grabbing one. With one arm he holds the coconut high above his head and scurries off bipedally into the bushes. In this spot he uses his remarkably sharp teeth to bite into the tough outer shell. When the coconut water within starts to trickle out, Jeffrey holds it above his puckered lips and catches about 60% of it as the other 40% splashes all down his front. With time and practice the amount he gets to drink will increase although he is not doing so badly now.

Jeffrey has an appetite for life and a constant fascination with the world around him. Nothing can dull his spirits. His positive attitude and actions provide a welcome tonic to events elsewhere in the world. There will be plenty more to report over the next year, of that we are certain.

Click here to download Jeffrey Junior’s February 2021 Foster Update