September felt like quite a long month for Mamat. The dry season was still going strong in Sintang, and according to the keepers, Mamat spent most of his time resting and hanging around in his cage. One of his favorite spots was his drum, where he could sit comfortably and watch what was happening around him without having to move around too much.

 

When mealtime gets closer, Mamat usually starts making some sounds. It almost feels like he is reminding the keeper, “Hey, isn’t it time for food?” It is one of the little ways Mamat interacts with the people taking care of him.

 

When it comes to food, Mamat is still following his usual routine. He eats pretty much everything that is given to him, although sweet fruits seem to be his favorite. He still eats his vegetables, but they might not be his first choice when there is fruit around.

 

In the morning, when the keeper is cleaning his cage, Mamat does not seem too interested in getting involved. He usually just watches from above, moves around a little, and then sits down again. Mamat seems pretty relaxed and does not seem too curious about what the keepers are doing.

 

He also does not have much interaction with the other orangutans. Beno’s cage is some distance away, while Bablu is right next to him but separated by a metal panel. So most of Mamat’s days are pretty simple: eating, resting, watching what is going on around him, and hanging around when he feels like it.

 

Outside Mamat’s cage, September was also a time for the SOC team to keep a close eye on the environment and the health of all the orangutans. The long dry season meant the team had to pay extra attention to their condition. Keepers continued to monitor their behavior, eating habits, and overall condition, while the medical team remained ready to check on them whenever needed.

 

As for Mamat, there have been no worrying changes so far. He is doing well, eating normally, and behaving pretty much as usual. Maybe that is simply how Mamat deals with a long dry season: no drama, not too curious, just taking it easy and waiting for his next meal.

 

Toward the end of September, the rain finally started to come back. After such a long stretch of dry weather, the change brought a different feeling to the area around the cages. We will have to wait and see if the rain makes Mamat a little more active, or if he will continue being the same laid-back Mamat as always.

 

For now, Mamat seems perfectly happy doing things his own way—hanging around, sitting comfortably, watching what is happening around him, and of course… waiting for his next meal.