LEARNING TO LIVE WILD AND FREE
In the wild, baby orangutans, like Signe’s son Rafalang, remain closely attached to their mothers until they are around 7 to 8 years old. During this long period, a female orangutan will not give birth again, as all her energy and focus are devoted to nurturing and teaching her current offspring.
This period of dependency is critical for the infant to learn essential survival skills. From finding food and exploring their environment to building sleeping nests, orangutan infants absorb everything by watching their mothers. The mother also serves as the child’s main protector from external threats in the forest.
Rafalang: A young student in the wild
Rafalang, the offspring of female orangutan Signe, is estimated to be around three years old. At this age, he still clings closely to his mother but has started mimicking her behaviours—especially when it comes to food.
During one observation, the Post-Release Monitoring team saw Signe feeding on cambium, the inner bark of a tree. Rafalang watched attentively from her arms, and before long, he began licking the cambium directly from the same tree trunk. Though he has yet to learn how to peel bark himself, Rafalang’s attempt was an important milestone in his development.
Learning through observation and imitation
Beyond food habits, Rafalang is also learning how to navigate the forest canopy by watching his mother. When Signe paused for a while to enjoy her favourite tree bark, Rafalang took the opportunity to practice climbing. He even briefly let go of her embrace. Despite his young age, he already shows promising climbing abilities.
However, Rafalang is still wary of humans. When he senses people nearby, he tends to stay close to Signe or hides behind her back. This cautious behaviour is typical for a wild-born orangutan who has had limited exposure to humans.
Although Rafalang still clings closely to his mum most of the time, he is beginning to explore on his own.
A contrast in behaviour
Unlike Rafalang, Signe is a rehabilitated orangutan who once lived in a rescue centre before being reintroduced to the wild. Because of her past, Signe no longer sees humans as a threat. When she encounters humans in the forest, she often approaches calmly, without showing signs of fear or aggression.
In contrast, Rafalang—who was born in the wild—displays a much more natural response. Upon encountering observers, he either retreats behind his mother or peeks out cautiously. This kind of behaviour indicates a healthy wild instinct, which is essential for survival in natural environments.
Instinctive learning, without pressure
The bond between Signe and Rafalang illustrates how orangutans learn through natural interaction rather than structured teaching. Signe doesn’t instruct Rafalang directly but he instead picks up skills simply by observing his mother’s daily behaviour and imitating her.
This learning process is free of pressure, commands, or artificial training. It reflects the power of instinct and the importance of strong maternal bonds in the development of young orangutans.
Protecting habitat means protecting generations
The story of Signe and Rafalang reminds us how vital natural habitats are for the transmission of knowledge and skills in the wild. Such meaningful learning and adaptation can only occur when ecosystems are left intact and undisturbed.
As Rafalang slowly grows into independence, his mother equips him—day by day—with the tools needed to survive and thrive in Kehje Sewen Forest. Their journey is a beautiful reminder that protecting forests also means nurturing the future of orangutans and all other wildlife.
