Holland is a high achiever and seems to live more in one day than some do in six months. She emerges from her sleeping enclosure sporting a “bed head” look, her hair fuzzy and full as a lion’s mane. She looks dreamy eyed but her body is fully awake. She breathes in a big lungful of fresh morning air as she climbs onto her caregiver’s back. She peeks around her as she is carried to the Camp Danielle playground area. Holland wanders along the adjacent boardwalk, and one of her legs immediately reaches out to hug a nearby tree. She intertwines her leg around the tree like a plant root. Her passion for the forest shines through, as she doesn’t want to be separated from it a moment longer. Before climbing, Holland stretches herself out, almost like she is completing a yoga flow to prepare herself.

A party of orangutans gather around as the enrichment team arrives and hand out enrichment bags. Everyone gets a party bag to take home with them. Holland quickly sifts through the bag and selects the treats that she likes; fresh mangoes are a personal favourite of hers. Holland is quick in her dealings, as she doesn’t want to be tied down.

Her lean and lanky arms pull her up the tree. She only stops moving once she has made her way right to the top. She is swallowed up by the explosion of leaves and branches. Finally, her head pops out, and she lazily plonks her head between two trees. Holland is completely comfortable in the forest and within herself. She is also resourceful and quick thinking. Holland now displays a natural desire to engineer. She gathers twigs and leaves and has begun constructing nests! There seems to be nothing she can’t do when she puts her mind to it.

Holland is one of the most, if you will, personable orangutans you are likely to meet. She is amiable and welcoming, always inviting her orangutan friends, such as Doris and Amelia, to join her on an expedition into the forest. She even journeys over to the nearby camps to meet and greet her fellow older orangutans. She likes swinging around the playground, soaking in water and foraging for fruit. She adapts to just about any situation she comes across and naturally fits in. We are so proud of her and are sure, as her foster parent, you are as well!

Click here to download Holland’s February 2025 Foster Update