We are sure our foster parents will be happy to hear that Amelia is healthy and well as we enter another year. Being carried to Forest School, perched on her Ibu’s back, Amelia is ever watchful. She is the one who watches the watchers! She follows her own routine inspections, travelling back and forth between the two Camp Danielle playgrounds. The first playground, nearest to her sleeping enclosure, always seems to be her preferred spot. She is a very tactile orangutan, touching the world around her and sniffing her fingers to see what scents she has picked up, probably cataloguing them in the corridors of the palace of her mind. Amelia often wanders along the Camp Danielle boardwalk, the long hair on her arms ruffling alongside her.

An orangutan of deep feeling, she doesn’t like seeing her caregiver, Ibu Epok, carrying other orangutans and displays her jealousy by lightly banging on the ground of the playground. Amelia likes to be the centre of her caregiver’s world and doesn’t want to share. She eschews her playmates and ventures into the nearby forest by herself.

As still as a lizard basking in the sun, Amelia hangs from the trees, her intense gaze fixed skywards. Her arms are outstretched, and she appears ready to spring to life at any moment. One thing that can bring her back down to earth is some well-timed enrichment. An all-natural leafy parcel, neatly tied up, is presented to Amelia, and she happily takes it. After sniffing the parcel Amelia decides to forgo unwrapping it and puts her mouth to it, sucking out peanuts that have been wedged within the leaves. Amelia is always thinking outside the box.

Amelia can climb high but it’s always on her terms. As much as we want to see her stretch herself, we have to let her develop at her own pace. Our dedicated caregivers will continue to provide Amelia with the opportunities that will eventually see her soar. We look forward to updating you with her progress in another six months!

Click here to download Amelia’s February 2025 Foster Update