Gunawan, Roni, Kiki, and Epeng - four infant orangutans arrived as orphans, each one voluntarily surrendered by residents across Central Kalimantan. Now, they are all starting a brand-new, bustling life at Camp JL… and what a life it is!
Every sunrise at Camp JL begins with a sweet shuffle. The sleepy infants are moved from their cosy night baskets into spacious, daytime enclosures, which are quickly transformed into leafy jungle gyms complete with branches for swinging and learning.
Epeng learning in the trees
But among the Fantastic Four, there's definitely a best-friend dynamic. Meet Roni and Kiki - the inseparable pair! They share an enclosure because they are quite simply the most peaceful, drama-free roommates ever. They play, wrestle and nap, all in perfect harmony!
And then, there's Kiki with anyone else.
If Kiki is paired with Gunawan or Epeng, the peace shatters. It’s a full-blown toddler-tantrum opera! Kiki cries, fusses and makes it clear that the other two infants are enemies of his playtime. It’s a wonderfully comical reminder that even amongst our critically endangered relatives, playground politics run deep!
Kiki in his enclosure
Despite their little rivalries, the infants are thriving. Even though they haven't been released into the deep forest, the dedicated camp staff take them on turns for "forest practice" nearby. Much like orangutan kindergarten!
Inside their enclosures, the orangutans are little interior decorators, taking the arrangement of their provided leaves very seriously. Outside, they are fearless, tiny explorers. You can spot them confidently marching up tree trunks, swinging from branches, nibbling on young leaves and gnawing on twigs. They’re building a foundational skillset - one wobbly climb at a time.
Gunawan and Bobo (an infant white-bearded gibbon in our care)
Under the continuous care of the staff and medical team, these four have transformed; their bodies are stronger, their coats are shinier and their energy levels? Through the roof!
The journey of Gunawan, Roni, Kiki, and Epeng reminds us that recovery is not just about physical health. It's a complex, emotional, and social world. They are learning to observe, to comfort, to challenge, and sometimes, to hilariously compete.
The four infants may be clinging to each other today, but the ultimate, hopeful goal remains: independence in the wild. Their behaviour will soon shift, becoming more solitary, curious and all in all closer to the magnificent, wild orangutans they are destined to become.
Gunawan (left) and Epeng (right) with carers
Their story is a bright, beacon of hope and with continued support, one day these four little fighters will return to their true home: the green, sprawling forest.
