Asih

Asih exploring her new surroundings 

Following the heartbreaking loss of her close companion Asto, the team has been monitoring Asih very closely, spending extra time with her as she adjusts and navigates this period of change. With patience, care, and consistency, she is showing encouraging signs of resilience as she settles into her new environment.

Asih’s move to Siranggas was a long and challenging one, involving a 15-hour journey across difficult terrain. The final stage of reaching her enclosure required careful coordination from the team, as the steep landscape and presence of many people risked causing her distress. Despite this, Asih handled the transition well and, on arrival, was closely observed by veterinarians and biologists to ensure her health and wellbeing remained stable.

The environment at Siranggas is quite different from her previous home, with cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and denser forest. At first, Asih took time to adjust, often resting quietly and observing her surroundings. Gradually, her confidence has grown. She has become more active, engaging with rope installations and hammocks, and building nests using fresh jungle browse provided by her caregivers.

Her appetite remains strong, and she is enjoying a varied diet that supports her development. Alongside familiar foods, the team is introducing her to a wide range of natural forest items, including rattan shoots, bamboo, and fruits such as fig, terap, kahitutan, and pali. These help build her foraging knowledge and keep her mentally stimulated.

Asih has also begun responding to the sights and sounds of the forest around her. In one memorable moment, she reacted strongly to a young gibbon feeding above her enclosure. The falling fruit made a loud noise on the roof of Asih’s enclosure. This startled Asih and she banged on her hammock and kiss-squeaked to chase the gibbon away. While this was a new behaviour for her, it highlights her growing awareness of her surroundings and the opportunities she has to learn from other wildlife in this rich forest environment.

Jungle School sessions at Siranggas are still in their early stages, but Asih has already had her first experiences in the forest. She initially approached this new environment cautiously, spending time observing from tree trunks at a height of around five to six metres. The dense, quiet forest felt unfamiliar, and she preferred to explore vertically rather than travel between branches. With guidance, she has begun sampling forest foods, and over time, her confidence will continue to grow.

Throughout all these changes, Asih’s health has remained good. She is active, alert, and adapting at her own pace. With the continued support of her caregivers - and your kindness, she is building the strength and skills she needs for the future.

Thank you for standing beside Asih during this important chapter of her journey. Your support is helping her heal, learn, and move forward toward a life of independence in the forest.