A pair of small hands reach up for a tree branch. With a firm grip and an air of confidence, Epeng climbs a little higher - he is learning how to belong in his forest home once more.
Epeng climbing and foraging, Janaury 2026
Epeng arrived at Orangutan Foundation in mid-2025 when he was handed over from captivity. He was only twelve months old and, like many young orangutans rescued from difficult circumstances, he had reportedly been found alone in the forest, far too young to survive without his mother. Sadly, we will never know the full story.
Epeng now lives at Camp JL in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, where along with four other recently handed over infants, he is beginning his journey back into the wild. This project is our Soft-Release Programme, which cares for orphans whilst they learn critical survival skills for an orangutan: climbing, foraging and building nests. The end goal is their release into the wild which can take up to eight years.
Epeng arriving at Orangutan Foundation in his transport cage, July 2025
Of the infants that share Camp JL with Epeng, he is without question the most energetic. With this energy comes bravery. When Epeng decides to move, nothing will slow him down - not even height. As he climbs, he is always looking to the top of the tree, not stopping until he reaches it.
The camp carers know what to expect when bringing the infants to the forest for their daily learning; whilst some pause or cling on to the staff, still apprehensive of their new surroundings, Epeng is already on the move. The trees call to him, and he answers with enthusiasm.
Epeng climbing, September 2025
It is wonderful to see a young orangutan with such an unfortunate start to life exploring the forest like a tiny adventurer. He samples tender young leaves, inspects unfamiliar fruits, and chews thoughtfully on twigs as if trying to understand his home one bite at a time. Nothing seems to escape his attention; each rustling leaf or dangling branch is an invitation to discover something new.
The name ‘Epeng’ carries a small story of its own. Derived from the word ‘empeng’, a Javanese term meaning “to suck for comfort.” The name was chosen because of a habit of the infant that quickly caught his carers attention... Epeng often sucks his index finger!
Much like humans, this behaviour seen in many ape species is a form of self-soothing. When the forest becomes quiet and the excitement of the day fades, he sometimes curls up and gently sucks his finger, finding a moment of calm.
Epeng in his sleeping enclosure with enrichment, August 2025
Perhaps, in those early days when Epeng was alone without his mother, this small habit helped him feel safe in a world. But Epeng is no longer alone. Each day in Borneo’s forests, he is learning what it means to be an orangutan. Step by step, branch by branch, Epeng is building the skills that will one day allow him to live independently in the wild, where he truly belongs.
