Lucky, Day, and Hope are more than just the resident orang utans of Sukau Rainforest Lodge—they are a symbol of the beauty and resilience of Borneo’s wildlife. Since their first sighting in 2014, these magnificent creatures have become an integral part of our lodge, delighting guests with their presence and offering a rare glimpse into the life of orang utans in the wild.
Their story of survival, growth, and family is one that inspires hope and joy for all who visit, reminding us of the importance of protecting these endangered species and their natural habitats. At Sukau Rainforest Lodge, we are privileged to share our space with these remarkable animals, and every sighting of Lucky, Day, and Hope is a reminder of how fortunate we are to witness the wonders of nature.
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In July 2014, a mother orang utan and her tiny infant were spotted for the first time at our Hornbill Boardwalk. It was a rare and exciting moment, as they kept a safe distance, mostly staying hidden from view. Mother orang utan was probably wondering, “What are these hairless creatures?”. During this time, the pair appeared only a few times a year, making each sighting an unforgettable experience for those lucky enough to witness it.
By the following year, the mother and baby began to approach the lodge more frequently. As the baby orang utan grew, it started exploring independently while the mother kept a watchful eye. The pair, enjoying the abundance of fruit trees around the lodge and the peaceful environment, began to consider Sukau Rainforest Lodge their home. This was when we truly became connected with these extraordinary creatures.
In celebration of their arrival, we held a naming contest, and Kate Williams chose the names Lucky and Day for the mother and baby. The name “Lucky” represented the fortunate experience of seeing these magnificent orang utans, and “Day” symbolized the joy of witnessing them in our midst. So, guests who encountered them often felt like the “lucky ones” to see such a rare and beautiful sight.
By 2016, Lucky and Day began visiting the area near the Ape Gallery. Day, now a 2-3-year-old juvenile, grew comfortable with the presence of humans. The duo spent time feasting on fruit from nearby trees and even seemed to enjoy the attention from guests taking photos. Lucky even created a nest for herself and Day near the Hornbill Boardwalk, further solidifying their place as our resident orang utans.
In December 2017, the family made a surprise visit to the Melapi Restaurant by the riverbank, delighting our staff and guests alike.
In April 2019, to everyone’s surprise, Lucky gave birth to a new baby—Hope. At the time, Day was a 5-year-old juvenile, and he quickly adapted to his new role as a big brother. This was a special moment, as Day now had the chance to practice all the survival skills his mother had taught him.
Hope, the new arrival, was named during our Orang Utan Baby Naming Contest in 2022. This name was chosen not just for the baby but also for the hope it symbolized during the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hope represents the strength, resilience, and hope that we all held onto during challenging times.
Today, Lucky, Day, and Hope continue to visit the lodge from time to time, especially near the Hornbill Boardwalk, Attenborough Boardwalk, Borneo Villas, and Kari Boardwalk. Their presence brings joy to both guests and staff, and every sighting of this incredible family is a reminder of how fortunate we are to share our home with them.
• Orang utans are one of the most intelligent primates, known for their problem-solving skills.
• They share approximately 97% of their DNA with humans.
• Orang utans are native to Indonesia and Malaysia and are classified as critically endangered.
• They primarily live in trees and spend most of their time in the rainforest canopy.
• Orang utans have a diet that consists mostly of fruit, but they also eat leaves, flowers, and insects.
• Female orang utans typically give birth every 6 to 8 years, raising their young for several years.
Check out our list of wildlife you have a chance of sighting at the lodge and along the Kinabatangan River.
In July 2014, a mother orangutan and her tiny infant was spotted at our Hornbill Boardwalk for the first time. It was one of those unexpected and most exciting occurrence to ever happen at the lodge. She and her baby kept a safe distance of at least 50m away from people and was mostly in hiding. At that time, the mother orangutan was probably wondering, “What are these hairless creatures?” That year, she only appeared with her new born every three or four months, so it was quite rare to be able to sight them.
Mother orangutan and her baby spotted near the lodge enjoying a scrumptious meal of figs. Photo credit @Rahman
The following year, the mother orangutan and her baby started approaching closer to our lodge. At that time, the baby orangutan had already begun roaming freely away from his mother, while she watched intently over him from a safe distance. The little one will take its time to observe the curious humans at the lodge before returning back to its mother’s embrace. With abundant fruit trees available all year round around the lodge, and no threats or disturbance from humans, mother orangutan and baby have made Sukau Rainforest Lodge part of their home. From then on, they became our resident orangutans.
Baby orangutan wants to be held by its mama.
We decided to name both mother and baby orangutan and got our guests at that time involved in a naming contest. Kate Williams chose the name Lucky and Day for mother and baby, which signifies the ‘Lucky Day’ of being able to witness the orangutans at the lodge. It’s always a sight to behold at the lodge when they come to visit and those who get a chance to see them are always called the lucky ones.
By 2016, Lucky and Day have roamed closer to our Ape Gallery. Day is now reaching the juvenile age of 2 to 3 years old. Both orangutans have grown familiar with humans and don’t mind the attention they receive from guests observing them and taking their photos. They seem to enjoy the attention too! They love spending time eating fruits on a Tarap Tree (Artocarpus sp) and Strangling Fig Tree located next to the Ape Gallery. Lucky has also made a nest for herself and Day around the Hornbill Boardwalk area.
Lucky and Day spotted on a fine day at the lodge
Mother and juvenile orangutans’ visit have become more frequent by the following year. They have been spotted around the lodge every month, even reaching the villa areas even though there was construction work happening at that time. In December of 2017, Lucky and Day dropped by to visit us at our Melapi Restaurant by the river bank. It was definitely a joyful surprise for us and our guests.
Mother orangutan, Lucky
Baby orangutan, Day.
Today, Lucky and Day can still be seen around the lodge, especially around Hornbill Boardwalk, Borneo Villas and Kari Boardwalk. It is always a delight for us and our guests to see them and even if they are our resident orangutans and are seen more frequently now, it’s always a ‘Lucky Day’ for us to still spot them around the lodge!
Although Lucky and Day don’t see us as a threat to them, we always advise our guests to keep a safe distance of at least 20 meters away from these wildlife, and to not use flash photography when taking their photos as it may scare them away.
Guests enjoying the sighting of Lucky and Day near the villas. What a 'lucky day' it is for them!
(Photos are courtesy of Albert Teo, Founder and Managing Director of Sukau Rainforest Lodge)
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