MAMAT

That afternoon, Mamat received a special enrichment treat—a fresh coconut. As soon as the animal keeper placed it near his cage, Mamat approached with steady steps. He stared at the coconut for a moment, as if calculating the best strategy to open it.

With his strong hands, Mamat began to rotate the coconut, searching for the perfect spot to break it open. He pulled away the fibers one by one, then brought them to his mouth. Slowly, he sucked on the fibers, savoring the juice hidden inside before discarding the dried remains. He repeated this process several times, almost as if enjoying an appetizer before moving on to the main course.

Once part of the husk had been stripped away, Mamat tapped the coconut against a hard surface until a small crack began to appear. When the coconut water started to drip out, he quickly drank it straight from the fruit, savoring its refreshing sweetness.

Satisfied with the drink, he moved on to the coconut meat. Using his teeth and fingers, he pried out piece after piece, chewing slowly while sitting comfortably in the corner of his cage. From time to time, he paused briefly, as if allowing himself a moment to truly enjoy the flavor with every bite.

There was no disturbance from Beno, the orangutan in the neighboring enclosure, that afternoon. Mamat was able to enjoy his coconut in peace from beginning to finish. Sitting leisurely, he broke the shell, drank the water, and patiently scooped out the meat. Occasionally, he glanced toward Beno, as if making sure his neighbor really had no intention of interfering.

When all the coconut meat was gone, Mamat left behind only the neatly split empty shell—a testament to his skill, strength, and patience in working through his midday treat. Content, he leaned back in the corner of his cage, letting the breeze wash over his full belly before finally closing his eyes to rest.