mason !

From the moment Rambutan arrived, Hesty has been nothing short of remarkable. 🦧 Before he was born, our team trained Hesty in a range of maternal care behaviors, just in case she needed support with nursing, allowing us to check on her baby, or supplemental feeding. As it turned out, she took to motherhood like a natural. These days, she keeps Rambutan out of trouble while still giving him room to try new things, new foods, supervised playtime with other orangutans, and those first curious steps away from her side. She knows exactly when to hold on and when to let him explore. Caring for a new mom means giving her as much choice and comfort as possible: where she spends her time, what enrichment she receives, which activities she participates in. If Hesty isn’t visible on exhibit some days, it simply means she’s chosen a quieter spot. She’s our resident diva, and Rambutan is one lucky kid. Photos: Animal Care Specialists Christa K. and Jenna G. #OrangutanCaringWeek #Orangutan #SumatranOrangutan #DenverZooConservationAlliance #SavingWildlifeTogether