The only non-African Member of the Great Apes, Orangutan lives an elusive solitary life in Southeast Asia. As He is the only arboreal Ape, Orangutan prefers living in the tree tops. The Malays call this distinctive red-haired Ape, “Man of the Forest” because they thought that He was a person hiding in a tree.
Because of his solitary lifestyle, Orangutan has the longest childhood of the Great Apes. Mother Orangutan has to teach her Youngster the complex nature of Orangutan life. For example, He has to learn skills ranging from how to find fruit to building a nest.
Problem solving is something that Orangutan does better than any other Great Ape. Using a Zen approach, He stares off into space pondering the problem, and then meditates on the answer. After much thought, Orangutan implements the solution. For example, He uses leaves to keep his nest leak proof in the rainforest.
One famous Orangutan, Ken Allen, was known for his escapes from the San Diego Zoo. To stop Him, His keepers devised many elaborate escape-proof methods. Enjoying the challenge, Ken Allen would escape, and then wait for them to find Him.
Orangutan teaches the Zen of problem solving. Sometimes the best way to resolve something is to sit still and think. Just remember to employ the answer.
Orangutan’s Teaching Includes:
“Orang-utan understands the true value of time, and counsels that you, too, use it wisely. Orang-utan counsels that you adjust your priorities lest time slip silently away, taking pleasure and love with it.” Copyright: “Animal Wisdom” by Susie Green.
Conservation Note: Orangutan is seriously endangered from the destruction of his rainforest and from pet collectors.
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Note: Great Apes differ from Monkeys by being tailless, by having arms longer than their legs, and by being large. Their DNA is close to human, and they are classified with man (Hominidae).
Va. Carper
November 6, 2007