By definition a creature that is truly wild can’t be expected to cooperate on a set schedule. Even here in Kuching, where the expansive Semenggoh Nature Reserve is a forest island amidst the human development of the surrounding land, there are no guarantees. This relative oasis is a home and sanctuary for a host of different species of birds, reptiles and mammals. The main attraction, of course, being the several dozen orangutans that permanently roam through the trees in search of food. Despite the fact that they are vegetarians, orangutans grow to an impressively large size with males reaching weights well over two hundred pounds. To gain such bulk requires a large quantity of fruit, which can be found quite readily in the treetops which is noticeably devoid of any threatening predators. Consequently these primates are considered to be genuinely arboreal, finding little or no reason to touch solid ground.
While they are indeed independent creatures, the park rangers regularly place bananas, mangoes and coconuts at feeding stations to supplement their diet as their habitat, while large, is considerably more limited than it would be in the absence of humans. Even with this free lunch so easily obtained, the red people of the forest are not dependent on it at all. In fact, frequently no one shows up to claim the sugary offerings. Today however we are lucky, upon a not insubstantial amount of patient waiting, rustling and movement of leaves can be seen growing closer. Glimpses of the russet hair-covered limbs swiftly moving along branches can be seen through the dark shadows of the green canopy. Finally an adolescent male is fully visible, he lowers himself onto the platform and seemingly ignores his delighted but silent audience and gathers a few pieces of fruit, preferring to eat them suspended. Content with his snack he starts to leave but pauses and looks back at us momentarily, regarding our presence with what could only be called mild curiosity. Then, rightfully dismissive of us, he plunges back into the foliage to continue on with his life as a wild and free animal.
