The rescue team at Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) has captured hearts online with their innovative and entertaining approach to teaching. Their Jungle School offers lessons critical for young orangutans, such as how to use tools, build nests, and, perhaps most importantly, recognize and avoid snakes—a potentially deadly threat in the wild. To emphasize this life-saving skill, the caretakers incorporate dramatic roleplay and exposure techniques, creating a learning experience both effective and unforgettable.
Rest assured, no actual snakes are involved in these teaching moments. Instead, lifelike plastic snakes are placed strategically under branches to simulate real-life encounters. As the baby orangutans accompany the workers on jungle walks, the traps are sprung with flair. Suddenly, a fake snake appears, and the show begins.
One worker delivers an especially theatrical performance—screaming, flailing her arms, and collapsing to the ground in mock terror. Her acting is so convincing it could rival scenes in a horror film. The plastic snakes may be fake, but the drama? That’s as authentic as it gets.
Startled by the spectacle, the young orangutans instinctively scramble up trees, their shock palpable. Though the experience might seem intense, BOS assures viewers that these moments are carefully managed and essential for the orangutans’ development. The organization emphasizes that while the orangutans might appear shaken, they’re gaining crucial survival knowledge.
Interestingly, while orangutans are naturally able to recognize snakes, the fear of them must be taught. Without parents to pass on this instinctive aversion, the dedicated workers at BOS have stepped in, using creativity and compassion to fill the gap.
The lessons aren’t all high-stakes drama, though. A lighter moment shared in a follow-up video shows a caretaker placing a colorful fake snake near a group of orangutans enjoying their lunch. When one of them notices the snake, the group reacts quickly—some flee to the trees, while others cluster together behind a nearby tree for comfort. Clearly, the training is paying off.
The team at BOS deserves admiration for their imaginative methods, which not only prepare these young orangutans for the challenges of the wild but also raise awareness about the importance of conservation. Their efforts highlight how humans can contribute positively to the natural world, one clever teaching moment at a time.