Orangutan comes from the Malay word ‘orang hutan’, which translates to ‘human of the forest.’

And Puteri? It means princess, which is very fitting for this beautiful ape.

And although we’re not supposed to have favorites, we couldn’t resist making her the star of Orangutan Caring Week.

To celebrate, here are a few fun facts that show how special she is!



She’s a lefty

Orangutans do use both their hands and feet to eat and gather food, but just like us, they tend to have a dominant hand.

Our of all eight orangutans here at the Zoo, Puteri is the only left-hander!

Here’s a wild fact: an orangutan’s arms are twice as long as their legs.
 
Making history

Puteri made history as the very first orangutan born at the Zoo!

At 55-years-old, she’s the oldest in our colony.

In the wild, orangutans usually live 35 to 40 years, so Puteri’s incredible age is a testament to the dedication and care from her amazing keepers who keep her in tip-top shape.

 

Picasso Puteri

Puteri loves to pick up a brush and paint – it’s a great enrichment activity for this clever ape.

She even did a painting for renowned late conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall in the early 2000s!



Ape-mazing mum

Through the regional breeding program, Puteri has had six offspring.  

Two of her children, Utama and Teliti, still call the Zoo home.

For the first seven years, orangutan young are by their mum’s side, riding on her back and sleeping in a shared nest.

Puteri actually made history (again!) in 2006 when her offspring Temara was the very first zoo-born Sumatran Orangutan to be released into the wild!

Puti also takes a special interest when her carers are pregnant! She used to gently pat her carer Marty’s pregnant belly and also likes to watch babies in prams.
 


Super food focused

Puteri’s diet is packed with fresh fruit and veggies, but she also gets nuts and eggs for that extra protein boost.

But her favourite? Peanuts!

She loves digging through her sandpit to find nuts hidden by her carers.

These enrichment activities keep her brain sharp and her hands busy.



She’s also partial to a tasty cup of fruit tea every morning.
 
BYO bed

Orangutans share up to 98% of human DNA, and just like us, they love a good comfy bed.

Every night, they build a nest from branches, carefully arranging them into a sturdy, cozy platform strong enough to hold their weight.

Puteri is no exception! She gathers pieces from around her habitat like a pro!   

In the wild, researchers use orangutan nests to estimate their population size in any specific area.  

Training session with a twist

As an older girl, Puteri's carers work hard to ensure our gorgeous girl stays happy and healthy.

Her daily training sessions not only help with providing stress-free health care but also help to grow the bond between Puteri and her carers.

Each session is completely voluntary, that means Puti can choose whether she’d like to participate. But as a very tactile orangutan, she loves the extra time with her favourite people.

After each session, Puteri receives a bunch of her favourite tasty treats before heading out to explore her large outdoor habitat!

Hang in there, you can help!

Puteri has enjoyed 55 safe years in the haven of the Zoo but her cousins in the wild face serious threats.

Around 80% of orangutan habitat has been lost to logging, often for palm oil plantations.

Heartbreakingly, these great apes are also poached for the illegal pet trade, with many young orangutans stolen from the jungle.

Did you know? We partner with Frankfurt Zoological Society to support their invaluable work managing the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem in Indonesia.

With our support, FZS carry out a Jungle School program, where orphaned orangutans are taught important life skills to help them survive in the wild – like how to find food and water, make nests and even proper orangutan etiquette!

Want to swing into action? Take a look at how you can help!