As a testament to Bali Safari Park’s successful breeding program, two orangutans, Cherry and Bruno, were born in captivity about four years ago. They were born from different mothers and have an age gap of only a month. This is one reason why the baby orangutans are inseparable. From the start, they’ve become instant friends.
In a community of orangutans, it’s important for babies and young orangutans to find playmates of similar age, with the same energy and playfulness. It’s also important for our safari park rangers to learn to play with orangutans in a way that satisfies their emotional and physical needs.
Cherry and Bruno want to meet you
Orangutans are so similar to us that it’s always fascinating to learn about them. In fact, you can directly meet Cherry and George every day at the Orangutan Playground in Bali Safari Park. Learn about how the babies interact and play with each other, and how they interact with you!
In the wild, baby orangutans communicate with their mothers in similar ways that we do. For example, if they are hungry, they cry; when they are hurt, they whimper; when they are happy, they smile and laugh.
The similarities between young orangutans and young humans are so uncanny. This is why orangutans are worth protecting so that they continue to exist on Earth alongside us.
Bon Bon, the rescued baby orangutan who returned to the wild
You may still remember Bon Bon and his story on the news. After a failed smuggling attempt, Bon Bon was rescued by airport officials and was nursed back to full health by park rangers and vets of Bali Safari Park.
On 17 December 2019, after 9 months of rehabilitation, Bon Bon began his next journey to become a true wild orangutan. Sumatra’s official Institute of Natural Conservation is now tasked to take care of Bon Bon to adulthood.
Watch Bon Bon’s story from its keeper on Bali Safari Youtube channel.
Guardians of the Forest
Orangutans play an important role in the wild to balance the ecosystem of the North Sumatran and Kalimantan rainforests. They spread the seeds of the fruits which they eat, which enables the growth of more trees. Illegal logging and burning of rainforests, and transforming rainforests into plantations, have misplaced and killed hundreds of orangutans each year. Survivors are still under threat of poaching and animal trafficking.
Bali Safari Park takes wildlife conservation very seriously. To learn more about orangutans, and what you can do to help save them, visit Bali Safari Park and book a safari journey to complement your environmental education.
