抄録
Great apes have prolonged dependent period and learn a variety of skills and knowledge through intensive interaction with the mother based on affectionate bond between them. Among four species of great apes, both chimpanzees and orangutans use tools in the wild based on their skills of object manipulation and cognitive development which is gradually formed through mother-infant interactions. Researchers found the effectiveness of human intervention and support to promote mother-rearing in captive great apes despite of initial maternal problems. Compared to African great apes, orangutans have solitary lifestyle and the longest dependent period of about 7-8 years indicating the higher reliance on the other. Orang Utan Island (OUI) is a facility open to public and located in Bukit Merah, Perak, Peninsula Malaysia. OUI holds 26 orangutans and has been promoting rehabilitation program as an effort of ex-situ conservation. Orangutan mothers are now practicing infant rearing in OUI and in semi-natural environment in adjacent BJ Island. The importance of mother-infant interaction as a base for cognitive development should be widely recognized among animal researchers and keepers for promoting mother-rearing in captive settings.
