Felix, a young orangutan who is sensitive yet full of potential, spent the month of July 2025 navigating a range of emotions and making encouraging progress. He showed significant development in his forest school exploration, climbing trees up to 15 meters high and beginning to venture out with friends like Ochre and Jainul. Sometimes, he even approached other orangutans to forage together, like when he joined Eboni and shared in eating bark that had already been peeled.

However, Felix is still learning to overcome fear and uncertainty. On several occasions, he was seen crying when struggling to move from one tree to another, or when he felt left out by a babysitter. But during such moments, support from other orangutans, like Eboni helping him cross a branch, showed that Felix is growing up in a socially supportive environment.

During enrichment activities, Felix was sometimes less enthusiastic about his own items and preferred collecting leftovers from Pansy. Still, he demonstrated intelligence and perseverance, such as when he completed a honey-filled wood challenge in just 20 minutes. He also became more skilled at climbing and swinging, clearly enjoying his time in the trees, although he occasionally came down to play on the ground with Jainul and Bagus.

Socially, Felix is still learning to set boundaries. In the cage, he was able to play with Pansy and keep up with her more dominant energy. Yet when Pansy approached to take his food, Felix still tended to yield. Even so, when given an enrichment item like a coconut, he focused on finishing it by himself, a sign that his confidence is beginning to grow.

This month showed that Felix is learning to balance curiosity, the need for safety, and the drive for independence. Behind all his emotional expressions lies a natural and complete learning process. With ongoing support, Felix is laying an important foundation for his future life in the wild. (RAF)

FELIX: BELAJAR MENGIMBANGI DUNIA DI SEKELILINGNYA

Felix, orangutan muda yang sensitif, namun penuh potensi, menjalani bulan Juli 2025 dengan berbagai dinamika emosi dan kemajuan yang menggembirakan. Ia menunjukkan banyak kemajuan dalam eksplorasi di sekolah hutan, memanjat pohon hingga 15 meter dan mulai menjelajah bersama teman-temannya seperti Ochre dan Jainul. Kadang ia juga mendekati orangutan lain untuk mencari makan bersama, seperti saat ia menghampiri Eboni dan ikut menikmati kulit kayu yang sudah dikupas.

Namun, Felix juga masih belajar mengatasi rasa takut dan ketidakpastian. Beberapa kali ia terlihat menangis saat kesulitan berpindah dari satu pohon ke pohon lain atau saat merasa diabaikan oleh babysitter. Tapi dalam momen seperti ini, perhatian dari orangutan lain seperti Eboni yang membantunya menyeberang cabang, menunjukkan bahwa Felix sedang tumbuh di lingkungan yang penuh dukungan sosial.

Dalam berbagai aktivitas enrichment, Felix kadang terlihat kurang antusias dengan miliknya sendiri dan lebih memilih memungut sisa milik Pansy. Tapi ia tetap menunjukkan kecerdasan dan ketekunan, seperti saat menyelesaikan kayu isi madu dalam waktu 20 menit. Ia juga semakin mahir memanjat dan berayun, dan terlihat sangat menikmati waktunya di atas pohon, meskipun sesekali turun untuk bermain bersama Jainul dan Bagus di tanah.

Secara sosial, Felix masih dalam proses belajar menetapkan batas. Di kandang, ia bisa bermain dengan Pansy dan mengimbangi energi Pansy yang lebih dominan. Tapi saat Pansy mendekat untuk mengambil makanannya, Felix masih cenderung mengalah. Meski begitu, saat diberi enrichment berupa kelapa, ia fokus menyelesaikannya sendiri, tanda bahwa kepercayaan dirinya mulai tumbuh.

Bulan ini menunjukkan bahwa Felix sedang melatih keseimbangan antara rasa ingin tahu, kebutuhan akan rasa aman, dan dorongan untuk mandiri. Di balik semua ekspresi emosionalnya, ada proses pembelajaran yang utuh dan alami. Dengan dukungan yang terus-menerus, Felix sedang membangun fondasi penting untuk hidupnya di alam liar nanti. (RAF)