Meki

Meki resting in the island canopy

She often begins the day settled 1–5 meters up in the canopy, watching the BOSF team with calm curiosity before easing into her routine.

When supplementary food is offered, Meki prefers to carry her food into the trees rather than eat at the platform- an encouraging sign of natural forest instincts. Meki especially loves papaya leaves, dragon fruit, eggs, and melon, but also loves to forage. The team have observed Meki peel and nibble the bark of a Syzygium tree and browse the tender young leaves of putat (Planchonia valida).

Her forest know-how continues to impress. After feeding, she climbs and swings with easy strength, then stretches out to rest, sometimes grooming herself in the shade. At one point she processed putat cambium like a pro-chewing to release sap, rubbing it over her hands until it foamed, and then licking it clean-a fascinating bit of “forest chemistry” seen in wild orangutans. She even returned to a repaired day nest to settle in again.

Overall, Meki’s appetite, activity, and choice to eat and rest high in the canopy all point to a healthy orangutan steadily sharpening the skills she’ll need for a truly independent life in the forest.

Thank you for standing behind Meki’s rehabilitation. Your support makes these quiet, extraordinary moments possible—and we can’t wait to share more from her days on Kaja Island.