A young orangutan at a Belgian safari park delighted visitors with his dramatic tantrum after his mom ended playtime. The heartwarming moment ended with an adorable kiss as the feisty toddler made amends.
A heartwarming and hilarious moment unfolded at the Pairi Daiza safari park in Belgium when a young orangutan named Berani threw a dramatic tantrum after being pulled away from playtime by his mother, Sari. The three-year-old’s antics included flailing and pouting, much to the amusement of onlookers.
Captured on camera by wildlife photographer Koen Hartkamp, the scene struck a chord with parents everywhere. “Like all kids, Berani still has to listen to his mom, even though he’s gaining independence,” Hartkamp said. The 16-year-old Sumatran orangutan mother patiently held her son by the arm, determined to relocate him to another area of the enclosure. Despite his spirited protests, Berani quickly made amends, planting a big kiss on his mom to apologize for the outburst.
The short-lived tantrum gave way to a cozy moment as Berani was later spotted snuggling under a golden blanket and sipping water from a fountain, proving that even the feistiest kids have their tender moments.
Berani, his mother Sari, and his father Ujian have been residents of Pairi Daiza since 2017, after moving from Germany. The young orangutan celebrated his third birthday in 2019 with a special treat: a carrot cake decorated with fruit and rose petals, prepared by his trainers. His parents joined the festivities, enjoying the cake and gifts alongside their son. On Sari’s 16th birthday later that year, the staff marked the occasion with enrichment activities, including hidden treats and donated sheets—perfect for the family’s favorite pastime of hiding under blankets.
Pairi Daiza, an award-winning conservation-focused safari park, is dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of critically endangered species like the Sumatran orangutan. Due to deforestation, particularly for palm oil plantations, only 7,500 Sumatran orangutans remain in the wild. The park actively supports reforestation efforts in Borneo, helping to preserve habitats for this intelligent species, known for their use of tools and expressive body language.
“Orangutan” means “man of the forest” in Malay, a fitting name for these magnificent creatures who thrive in the rainforests’ canopies. In captivity, Sumatran orangutans like Berani and his family can live up to 50 years, underscoring the urgency of protecting their wild counterparts.
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