REDI

Redi, who once lived in the wild before being rescued, has shown better nest-building skills compared to Gieke, his older enclosure mate. It is likely that, on their journey toward eventual freedom in the wild, Gieke will learn this important skill from Redi.

At the Jerora Forest School, Redi and Gieke are often seen together while foraging. In some ways, Gieke acts like a surrogate mother to Redi—her calm demeanor providing her younger friend with a sense of confidence and security.

Since Redi has spent less time in forest school compared to Gieke, he has not yet fully learned all the types of natural food available. Gieke, who already knows a wide variety of foods, often “shares” this knowledge, helping Redi expand his diet. The two can often be seen moving side by side through the tree canopy, enjoying various plants such as young leaves, figs, and rattan shoots. Observers following them often find the pair busily moving from one tree to another.

In addition to Gieke, Redi is also friends with Artemis. Although Artemis tends to be solitary—a common trait among orangutans—she occasionally spends time with Redi, including introducing him to different edible plants. One afternoon, high in the tree canopy, Redi spotted Artemis sitting calmly on a branch. Redi approached in a playful manner, hanging above Artemis while gently nudging her, then licking or appearing to kiss her as an invitation to play. However, Artemis remained calm and unbothered, allowing Redi to continue his playful antics.

Redi’s progress in forest school has been remarkable. During a nest observation in the late afternoon, he chose a location high in the canopy on a large branch. He slowly built a nest there and rested for a while. About an hour later, Redi decided to move to another spot not far from the first, then constructed a new nest for the night. Interestingly, he built this nest entirely on his own, far from the rest of the group—showing a growing sense of independence.