Kukur: Spring 2025

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Kukur has been thriving on Pematang Rangkong Island, where he’s sharing space with his fellow orangutans Bonika, Didik, Korwas, Opan, Seponti, Vena, and Rahman. At 53 pounds (24 kilograms), he’s not only physically healthy but has also made some major strides in his behavior, especially when it comes to socializing. He’s come a long way from being more isolated. Now he’s regularly joining his peers in foraging activities, which is a big deal for his progress in developing survival skills.

One of the things that makes Kukur stand out is how careful he is when it comes to food. After the animal keepers provide their meals, Kukur often distances himself from the group to eat in peace, steering clear of any potential competition. He’s not one to steal food from others, but funny enough, he’s often on the receiving end of food snatching from his peers! Still, he doesn’t let that bother him much and continues to enjoy his meals in his own space.

Kukur’s days are filled with foraging, socialising, and plenty of play. He loves a good wrestling match on the ground with Opan, Vena, and Rahman, and he often sticks close to them when foraging in the same trees. While he spends quite a bit of time on the ground, his instincts kick in when it’s time to eat, and he’ll head up into the trees in search of food.

His foraging skills are also coming along nicely. He’s been spotted chewing on liana fruits, leban fruits, and ubah fruits. That said, he still has a soft spot for the food provided by the keepers, with corn, cassava, and sweet potatoes ranking high on his list of favorites.

To keep him sharp and engaged, Kukur gets daily enrichment activities, and he absolutely loves them. He’s particularly fond of nipa palm stalks filled with peanuts and sacks packed with wood chips and nuts—he’s always eager to dive into those challenges.

When it comes to nest-building, Kukur really shines. He’s got a knack for constructing new nests and typically builds two to three every day — one in the morning, another around noon, and one in the evening. Although he’s more than capable of fixing up old nests, he seems to prefer starting fresh, showing off some impressive survival instincts.

Health-wise, Kukur has been in excellent shape over the past six months. He’s active, stress-free, and has maintained a stable routine when it comes to eating and interacting with both his orangutan peers and the keepers. His positive behavior and health are great signs that he’s on the right track.

Kukur’s rehabilitation journey is progressing well—he’s building up his survival skills, making strong social connections, and staying in great physical condition. His steady growth gives us a lot of hope that he’ll continue to develop into a self-sufficient orangutan, ready to thrive in the wild.

Keep up the great work, Kukur!