At three years old, Arto has grown into one of the most playful and energetic orangutans at Jungle School.
Cheeky Arto having a mud bath
Now weighing 11.35 kg, he is bigger and stronger than before, and his lively personality keeps both his fellow orangutans and the keepers on their toes. Playful, active, and always thinking about food, Arto is well known by the carers as one of the cheekiest and cleverest youngsters in the group.
At Jungle School, Arto is often the centre of the action. His curiosity and quick thinking sometimes make him a challenge for the keepers to keep up with, as he tends to go straight for whatever catches his interest. One of his favourite pastimes is inventing playful games. Recently he has developed a habit of rolling around and gently biting during play, something he seems to be particularly fond of at the moment.
Food continues to be a big motivation for Arto. True to his foodie nature, he happily eats almost anything and doesn’t seem to have a least favourite food. In the forest classroom he enjoys sampling natural foods like soil and small unripe fruits, particularly those from the Macaranga trees. During enrichment time, Arto is enthusiastic about any activity that involves food, eagerly exploring whatever treats the keepers prepare. With two milk bottles a day to support his development and plenty of opportunities to explore and play, he continues to grow into a confident and spirited young orangutan.
Arto has a strong circle of friends in Jungle School, especially Harapi, Jainul, and Ochre. While he enjoys their company, he is also becoming more independent as he grows. These days Arto is quite happy to play on his own as long as other orangutans are nearby, entertaining himself with his own games and adventures.
He has also developed a mischievous fascination with the keepers’ boots and these often become part of his playful investigations. Although Arto doesn’t show a particular preference for one human carer, he tends to listen best to the babysitters who spend the most time with him each day.
With his playful nature, growing independence, and endless curiosity, Arto is making wonderful progress in Jungle School. Thank you for supporting Arto and helping him continue his journey toward a future in the forest.
