From the Forest to the Family: A Father’s Day Reflection from an Orangutan Dad

By Orangutan Dad (a.k.a. Gary)

Father’s Day always makes me pause—not just as a human dad, but also as an honorary orangutan father. You see, my fatherhood journey spans not only the usual territory of raising a human son, but also the unique and deeply meaningful bond I share with my adopted orangutan daughter, Princess.

Let me start with the facts: real orangutan fathers in the wild don’t win any “Dad of the Year” awards. They tend to be the strong, silent type—often literally out of the picture. In most cases, once the mating is done, the male orangutan goes his own way. It’s the mothers who shoulder the parenting load: nursing, teaching, protecting, and guiding their young for 7 to 8 years—longer than any other mammal besides humans.

So when I call myself an Orangutan Dad, I realize I’m breaking the mold.

With my son Jason, I’ve had the profound privilege of watching him grow into a thoughtful, capable man. From scraped knees and Lego masterpieces to career choices and philosophical debates, being his father has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

But Princess added a new dimension to that title.

Princess isn’t your average daughter. She’s covered in red hair, swings through trees, and speaks with her eyes. She’s a rescued orangutan with whom I’ve shared time, stories, and gentle moments of trust. While I didn’t raise her from infancy, I’ve worked to help secure her future, her freedom, and her forest. And in doing so, I've experienced another kind of fatherhood—one rooted in protection, patience, and advocacy.

I’ll never forget the first time she looked at me with calm recognition, her deep amber eyes meeting mine with a kind of ancient wisdom. She didn’t need me to fix her toys or explain algebra. She needed me to care. To show up. To be a voice in the world that would fight for her future when she couldn’t.

And that’s what being a father really is, isn’t it?

It's about presence. It’s about protecting what matters. It’s about loving without conditions, even when that love shows up in wildly different ways—sometimes helping with homework, and sometimes helping replant forests.

So this Father’s Day, I raise a symbolic jungle leaf (and maybe a cup of strong Sumatran coffee) to all the dads—those who raised children, mentored youth, cared for rescued animals, or simply stood up for someone or something vulnerable.

And to Jason and Princess—thank you for teaching me how big a father's heart can grow.

Happy Father’s Day from this proud Orangutan Dad.

Let’s keep loving boldly, protecting fiercely, and swinging into the future with joy.