While most of the other baby orangutans love climbing trees, swinging from vines, or cuddling in the arms of their caretakers, Bubu has a unique obsession—he loves dropping off the net. Yes, dropping.
The sanctuary had recently installed a strong hanging rope net between two trees, designed to help the young orangutans practice balance and climbing. Most used it carefully, crawling across or lounging in the middle like a hammock. But Bubu? He treated it like his personal trampoline-launch-pad.
Every morning, as soon as breakfast was over and the gates to the play area opened, Bubu would make a straight run to the net. With the kind of joy only baby orangutans can express, he would leap onto the edge, scramble to the top, and then—without a moment of hesitation—drop right off the side.
Not a scared, slow slide. No. Bubu flung himself like a little orange cannonball, arms spread wide, letting gravity do the rest. He’d fall with a squeaky giggle, land in the soft pile of dried leaves and hay prepared by the staff below, roll a few times, then bounce right up and do it again.
Caretakers watching from a distance couldn’t help but laugh every time. He never seemed to tire of it. Sometimes he did it five times in a row, sometimes ten. On particularly playful days, he’d even try to get other baby orangutans to join him, waving his arms and tugging them toward the net. A few tried, but none could match Bubu’s fearless dive.
One afternoon, as he launched himself off the net for the twelfth time, a loud rustle followed his fall. He landed right next to a resting caregiver who had just laid down for a short break. Leaves flew into the air, and Bubu looked up with wide, innocent eyes—then burst into laughter, or at least the orangutan version of it, a gurgling happy squeak.
The caregiver laughed too. “Bubu! You little rascal. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
Bubu simply rolled over, climbed up the caregiver’s arm, perched on their shoulder for a moment, then leapt off toward the net again.
No fear. No hesitation. Just pure fun.
This little habit of his became a daily spectacle. Volunteers started calling it “Bubu’s Drop Show.” It reminded everyone of the simple joys in life—how much laughter and energy could come from one tiny creature with a big spirit.
As Bubu grows, one day he may stop flinging himself off nets and start climbing higher, preparing for life in the trees. But for now, he’s just a joyful baby, discovering the world one belly flop at a time.
