Rickina and little Ricko continue to do well at the YIARI orangutan rescue centre in West Kalimantan.
Rickina and Ricko having a cuddle
Ricko celebrated his first birthday in August. Rickina is a doting mother to Ricko, and they spend a lot of their time cuddling and playing in their enclosure.
The orangutan keepers and veterinary staff have been monitoring Rickina and Ricko very closely. After several discussions they have decided to keep them in the enclosure for a little longer because Rickina is not good at sharing with Ricko and will also often take food from him. The orangutan keepers have been working on separating them for very short periods during feeding time to ensure that Ricko is receiving enough food. Ricko is still reliant on his mother’s milk, however solid food is becoming a more important part of his diet as he gets older.
Both Rickina and Ricko are in good health. Rickina continues to eat whatever food the keepers provide, while Ricko, like other young orangutans (and humans), is pickier and prefers to eat mostly ripe fruits.
Rickina and Ricko receive enrichment twice a day, including banana and papaya stems smeared with honey and filled with nuts and seeds. This keeps Rickina busy for most of the day and it also sparks Ricko’s interest and fine motor skills.
We hope that Rickina learns to improve her food sharing skills soon so she and Ricko can head out for an exciting adventure on the forested island together.
