In August, maintenance was once again carried out on Banir and her group’s overnight cage as part of the ongoing effort to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for them. This time, the team repaired two hammocks and added structural enrichment from several large fire hoses suspended from the upper part of the cage. The work was carried out while Banir and her group were attending Forest School, allowing the maintenance to be completed without disrupting their activities or drawing their attention to the work.

Once they returned from Forest School, Banir, Redi, Julia, Otan, and Seko did not need much time to adjust to the changes. The new fire hoses quickly became part of their daily activities. They used them to swing and move from one side of the enclosure to another. Banir herself was seen exploring the fire hoses in her own way—holding onto the end of one while lying comfortably on the floor of the cage and calmly observing her surroundings. Adding structures like these provides more variety in their available space and encourages the orangutans to use their bodies and surroundings in different ways.

Despite the dry season and the haze affecting the surrounding area, Forest School activities continued normally throughout August with additional precautions from the team. Daily patrols were conducted to monitor the area around the Forest School and ensure there were no signs of fire or potential fire hazards that could threaten the orangutans’ safety. This monitoring was especially important during the dry season, when the surrounding environment is more vulnerable to wildfires.

During her time at Forest School, Banir remained active and continued to explore her surroundings. She most often chose the middle to upper canopy as her preferred area to move around. Compared with some of the other members of her group, Banir tends to move at a more relaxed pace. She appears to enjoy spending time among the trees, choosing areas that she finds comfortable to explore, particularly spots with shaded trees and sturdy branches that allow her to rest or move between trees.

Banir’s ability to find and make use of natural food sources was also evident during her time in the forest. She was able to locate various foods available within her range. However, when the team provided additional food in the afternoon before the group stayed overnight in the forest, Banir was certainly happy to take advantage of it. She would typically pick up pieces of fruit and vegetables from the feeding platform and then carry them into the surrounding trees to eat in a spot of her choosing. This behavior reflects her preference for enjoying her food among the trees, consistent with her generally calm and independent nature.

August once again offered a glimpse into Banir’s daily life, filled with exploration both at Forest School and in her overnight cage. From exploring new enrichment structures to choosing her own preferred areas and resting spots among the trees, Banir continues to have opportunities to move freely and express her natural behaviors. Alongside closer monitoring of environmental conditions during the dry season, these efforts help the SOC team provide Banir and her group with a safe, varied, and appropriate environment throughout their rehabilitation journey.