It seems like the last six months have flown by and Holland has been keeping herself busy maintaining her forest skills and taking advantage of every day given to her. Holland still likes to be carried to the playground to start her journey but as soon as she has arrived, she springs into action. She leaps from her caregivers’ arms and promptly proceeds from Camp Danielle’s playground one along to playground two. Holland doesn’t waste time here because her real goal is the forest. She likes the forest; the forest is her life!

Holland shows us how it is done. She strides into the forest, but the ground is for us mere humans; this skilled orangutan rises high into the treetops. First 10 metres, followed by 20 metres, and before we know it, she has ascended over 25 metres into the sky. Holland moves with confidence, never looking back (or down) only ahead towards the future. Her lean athletic body glides through the trees, a speck of orange in amongst the greenery. In the treetops Holland finally relaxes and takes stock of the situation. She breaks branches, chews on the bark, and idles her time away with the soft wind whistling through her hair. While in forest school Holland doesn’t eat too many fruits or leaves, but she likes to look for young stems and tree shoots. She can be found from time to time chewing on blades of grass or flowers.

Holland is no bother for her caregivers. Her enclosure mates Benjamine and Doris like to follow Holland around and stick close to her. Holland will happily tussle with them, if she is in the mood, but prefers being up in the canopy over spending time in the playground. She will come down if one of the OFI staff, especially her primary caregiver, carries over some delicious fruit. Holland will scuttle down the tree to get a treat but swiftly returns to the treetops. We look forward to the day she won’t need to come back down for anyone or anything. Let’s all enjoy the journey.

Click here to download Holland’s February 2023 Foster Update