While Harapan tries to reach the furthest branches of the park, his mother is always ready to lend a helping hand. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
He will celebrate his first birthday in May, but already now, the young Sumatran orangutan at Prague Zoo is taking his first steps towards independence. Until recently, Harapan observed the world only from the safety of his mother’s arms, but now visitors to the Indonesian Jungle can watch as “Hari” learns to climb or taste solid food.
Although twelve-year-old Diri still carefully watches over her first cub, she also gives him more space to learn and discover. “Harapan will gradually gain self-confidence and, perhaps, in the fall he could be frolicking in the branches, similar to the older four-year-old Kawi on the island opposite,” says Martin Vojáček, chief primate keeper at Prague Zoo.
The name Harapan means “hope” in Indonesian. Every newborn cub is a rare and promising addition. In the wild, all three species of orangutans are critically endangered and their numbers are constantly declining. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Although he can be breastfed for up to four years, Harapan already has baby teeth and is also very interested in solid food. He prefers to taste crunchy granulate for leaf-eating primates, but he will also appreciate vegetables, nuts, mango, and papaya. Food is offered to him not only by his mother but also by the breeders, to gain his trust. This will be important in the future, for example, due to regular checks on his health.
The young of these largest tree mammals are dependent on their mothers for several years. “Orangutans have the longest interbirth interval. Unlike gorillas or chimpanzees, the orangutan mother has to manage everything herself. In groups, the young can learn skills from other members of the group, but the offspring of solitary orangutans have to manage on their own, which is why their development is slower than, for example, gorillas,” explains Martin Vojáček.
The favorite vegetables of the orangutan cub Harapan include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and fennel. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
People can observe orangutans every day on the upper floor of the Indonesian Jungle pavilion. They are active throughout the opening hours, which will be extended by an hour from March 1st – the gates of the Prague Zoo will now close at 5 p.m.