At just 18 months old, Felix is the youngest orangutan at Jungle School. His gentle, easily worried nature makes him especially endearing.
Little Felix being adventurous at Jungle School
He often sticks close to his babysitters—especially the female carers he trusts most—and sometimes panics if he thinks they might leave his side. Despite this dependency, Felix is beginning to show real courage. In September, he surprised everyone by climbing all the way up to 22 meters in the trees, a wonderful sign of growing confidence.
Felix isn’t a big eater, but he enjoys red tomatoes, bananas, young leaves and tree bark. He is not a fan of lettuce and green eggplant. He has slowly begun adding variety to his forest diet with forest flowers, fruits, termites and even fungi. His curiosity means he’s always willing to try new enrichment like honey-filled logs or sugarcane.
While he often plays alone or stays near his babysitter, he is slowly starting to engage with friends like Harapi, Pansy, Aman, and Ochre—taking small but important steps in his social journey. Felix also likes to observe the other orangutans from a distance. Being so very young, it is very normal for Felix to need the comfort and reassurance of his familiar babysitters- just as he would have that consistent love from his mum in the wild.
Felix with his beloved babysitter Janet
Felix may still panic easily and cling tightly when he feels insecure, but each new climb, each new taste, and each brave moment with his orangutan friends increases his confidence.
Thank you for making little Felix’s journey possible. Your support ensures he receives the care, companionship, and forest time he needs to one day return to the wild.
