LEARNING THE ROPES
Rescued in mid-2025, Momo is currently continuing her rehabilitation journey at the Nursery Group, where young orangutans learn essential life skills in a safe and supportive environment. Alongside her peers, she is gradually developing her own personality. Although Momo is still very young, she has already demonstrated that she is not one to simply stay close and observe; instead, she prefers to explore.
An Energetic Explorer with a Curious Spirit
Among the infants, Momo quickly stands out as a curious and energetic explorer. During Forest School sessions, she often wanders farther than the others, fully absorbed in discovering her surroundings. Her enthusiasm for exploration sometimes means our surrogate mother has to call out loudly just to make sure Momo hears her when it’s time to collect fruit or return to the group.
Yet despite her independent streak, Momo still seeks comfort when the day comes to an end. After being called back, she will occasionally ask to be carried all the way back to the enclosure area. Thus a gentle reminder that beneath her adventurous nature, she is still a baby who seeks comfort and reassurance.
Learning Boundaries From His Peers
Momo has also begun developing a strong sense of personal space. When encountering unfamiliar people, including medical staff, she prefers to keep her distance. If someone approaches too closely, Momo may throw small branches as a clear sign of discomfort.
In the Nursery Group, Momo stands out as a curious and energetic explorer.
According to her surrogate mother, her buddy Rumba may have influenced this behaviour, as Rumba previously shared the same class with Momo. Rumba often expressed her dislike of close contact in the same way. This observation highlights how young orangutans learn socially, picking up cues and behaviours from their peers as part of their emotional and social development.
Health Monitoring and Gentle Treatment
Like several of her classmates, including Nia, Momo had experienced minor health issues. Her caretakers found tiny lice or mites around her eyes. Fortunately, Momo does not appear disturbed by the condition and continues her daily activities with the same enthusiasm.
Even so, our surrogate mothers and medical team are taking preventive measures to protect her health. A medicated salve is carefully applied around her eyelids to eliminate the parasites and prevent them from multiplying. Close monitoring ensures that Momo receives the care he needs while continuing her regular learning activities.
Growing with Care, Confidence, and Compassion
Momo’s story at Forest School is not just about physical growth, but also about building confidence, setting boundaries, and developing trust. With consistent care from our medical team and the patient guidance of our surrogate mother, Momo continues to develop at her own pace.
Each day, Momo is one step closer to becoming a resilient young orangutan. With time, care, and compassion, Momo’s journey is unfolding to a future where she can thrive as a strong and confident orangutan.
If you would like to support orangutans like Momo on their long rehabilitation journey, please consider adopting one of our orphaned orangutans here.
