SINTA

At Jerora Forest School, Sinta and her daughter, Sabine, are among the most fascinating mother-infant orangutan pairs to observe. Sinta, a gentle yet attentive female, seems to embrace her role as a mother with remarkable patience. She understands that her young one’s learning process cannot be rushed and instead requires space to explore her world at her own pace.

During forest school sessions, Sinta and Sabine spend most of their time in the tree canopy. Sinta rarely went down to the forest floor, a habit that has shaped Sabine’s own activity patterns. High among the branches, Sabine is agile and energetic. She explores independently but never strays far from her mother. In the treetops, they enjoy various forest foods like young leaves, fruits, and bark. Sabine mimics everything her mother does—an essential part of the natural learning process for a young orangutan.

Though it doesn’t happen often, there are moments when Sinta decides to come down to the forest floor. When she does, Sabine climbs onto her shoulders, holding on tightly yet still full of curiosity. On the ground, they search for forest delicacies such as umbut serit and tender leaves, adding variety to the diet they usually consume in the canopy.

Sinta’s daily routine appears to revolve around one key principle: giving Sabine the space to grow and learn. She allows her daughter to move freely from branch to branch, expanding her own abilities. Despite her young age, Sabine shows remarkable bravery, confidently venturing into the upper canopy without the slightest sign of fear.

Sinta’s calm and supportive parenting approach gives Sabine a strong foundation to grow into an independent wild orangutan. Together, they show just how vital a mother’s role is in shaping her child’s behavior and self-reliance—a long process that begins with trust and the freedom to explore.

When they’re back in their overnight cage, things settle into a more relaxed rhythm. Sinta often rests inside the drum provided in the cage, enjoying some quiet downtime. Sabine, still full of youthful energy, keeps busy practicing her climbing and swinging skills using the bars of the cage. She is visibly curious and enthusiastic about everything around her.

Even while resting, Sinta keeps a close eye on her daughter. Though less active, she always stays near Sabine, ready to protect her if needed. Sabine, for all her energy, still seeks comfort and reassurance from her mother—especially when the animal keeper approach to check on them.