Eden, the first child of Ellie, was born in early November 2014 and has been a captivating subject of our long-term orangutan research. From a young age, Eden has exhibited a distinctive and recognizable hairstyle, with her hair forming a point in the middle of her head, resembling a unicorn.

As an infant, Eden frequently attempted to venture away from the watchful eye of her mother, Ellie, to explore her surroundings and discover new fruit trees. Her adventurous spirit has only grown stronger with age. Today, as an independent juvenile, Eden remains as brave and determined as ever, fearlessly navigating her environment.

Eden is notably sociable, often drawn to the rustling sounds of other orangutans in the distant trees. Over the years, she has formed many friendships, especially with other young orangutans who share her love for play. Her interactions with others provide valuable insights into the social behaviours of juvenile orangutans.

Much like her strong-willed mother, Eden is known for her stubbornness. The dynamic between Eden and Ellie is often marked by amusing disagreements, as both are unyielding in their ways. Despite these clashes, Eden occasionally follows her mother and younger brother, Emen, albeit at a distance to avoid annoyance.

As she matures, Eden is growing bigger and continually expanding her understanding of the world around her. She is learning to navigate the forest independently, discovering the locations of the best fruit trees, and honing her foraging skills. Eden has become proficient in using stick tools to extract termites from nests.

Eden’s fearless nature extends to her interactions with new orangutans and the researchers who observe her. Often, she appears to study the researchers just as intently as they study her, reflecting her innate curiosity.

As Eden progresses through her teenage years, we eagerly anticipate watching her growth and development into adulthood. Her journey offers invaluable contributions to our understanding of orangutan behaviour and conservation, highlighting the importance of continued observation and study.