KEEN on a closer look at orang utan in their natural habitat? While an initial encounter may scare some, the amusing antics of the orang utan, however, is bound to awe spectators.
Recently, a group of journalists accompanying Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said at the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sepilok, Sabah, had a close look at orang utan in the open.
The centre located in 4,294ha of jungle was opened in 1964. It acts as a sanctuary for more than 300 orang utan.
Sepilok Orang Utan Centre staff member feeeding a group of orang utan at the 4,294ha sanctuary opened in 1964. According to the centre’s guide, Mark Louis Benedict, studies done by Sabah Wildlife Department and several non-govermental organisations in 2004 showed there were 13,000 orang utan in Sabah.
Because the orang utan habitat is threatened by logging, the centre plays a big role in ensuring this ape’s survival.
The orang utan are rehabilitated and their habitat protected.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Laurentius Ambu said the centre rehabilitated orang utan kept as pets and returned them to the wild when they were ready.
The centre also rescued orphaned orang utan and nurtured them until they were ready for release into the wild, he said while accompanying Azalina during the visit from July 5-7.
Enamouring: Tourists viewing the antics of some orang utan. As the centre is on the fringe of the Kabili Sepilok forest reserve, about 25km from Sandakan, visitors have the chance to view the rich flora including flowering plants, dipterocarp trees and wild fruit trees.
The jungle is also the habitat of 217 bird species, 70 mammal species and more than 400 tree species.
Visitors can spot other protected animals like bats, monkeys, bears, wild cats and crocodiles in the reserve.
The group then proceeded to the Sungai Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary to observe orang utan in the wild.
They cruised on the 560km Sungai Kinabatangan, the second-longest river in Malaysia, and enjoyed a panoramic view.
The river is an important asset for tourism and generates economic returns for locals.
Benedict said the sanctuary’s attractions drew local and foreign visitors in droves.
About 80 to 100 tourists visit the sanctuary daily, the orang utan being the star attraction.
They come for a closer look of the Borneo orang utan.
Visitors can also glimpse other wild animals in the area.
The 27,000ha reserve is also home for nine monkey species including the slow loris, gibbon and macaque.
There are also 106 bird species, 40 mammal species and four reptile species.
The orang utan move in groups and can easily be spotted as they prefer to swing on high branches near the river banks.
Visitors also feel blessed if they come across the rare pygmy elephant.
There are five tour operators providing accommodation along Sungai Kinabatangan. They include the Sukau Rainforest Lodge and the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.
Visitors can reach the sanctuary by boat or by trekking through the jungle.
They are captivated by the sight of the orang utan and the beauty of the river surrounded by the jungle.
Benedict said that Kampung Sukau served as a gateway for the sanctuary that was opened in 1984.
The village, a two-hour drive away from Sandakan, is within a five-minute walk from the sanctuary.
From Kota Kinabalu, visitors take a 40-minute flight to Sandakan or ride on vehicles that take four hours to reach the sanctuary. - Bernama
date: August 22, 2008
by: Siti Zubidah Abdullah
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