Hamisah Hamid New Straits Times 8 Aug 11;
SANDAKAN: The healthy, shiny reddish brown hair of the orang utans in the treetops at the Sepilok Orang Utan rehabilitation centre here indicates that they are well taken care of.
A visit to the orang utan sanctuary recently, about 30 minutes' drive from the Sandakan central business district, was an eye-opening experience.
Visitors, including foreigners, gathered patiently in the tropical heat for the second feeding time at 3pm.
All eyes were set on a wooden platform built at a large tree to feed the orang utans.
Occasionally, the rangers would remind the visitors not to talk or laugh too loud as this would distract the endangered species.
To reach the feeding place, visitors take a boardwalk in the middle of huge and rare rainforest trees until they reach a wooden observation platform opposite the feeding platform.
As feeding time drew near, two average built orang utans swung from branch to branch near the feeding platform, prompting visitors to scramble excitedly to find a perfect spot to take pictures of the apes.
When the clock turned 3pm, a ranger climbed up a wooden ladder to the feeding platform, carrying a large bucket containing bananas and long beans.
Two grown-up apes, weighing about 90kg, appeared, followed by smaller, younger ones.
The apes munched on bananas and beans, oblivious to the ranger at the feeding platform.
It is a rare opportunity to see massive orang utans with arms twice as long as their legs.
The females can grow up to around 1.2 metres and weigh around 45kg, while adult males can reach 1.8 metres and weigh over 118kg.
Orang utans may live about 35 years to as long as 60 years.
While the visitors took a break from photographing the apes and just stood admiring them feasting, another orang utan swung down a rope to the platform, a baby firmly attached to her side.
Again, the thrilled visitors jostled to take photographs.
According to the rangers, there were 10 orang utans during feeding time that morning, compared with five, including the baby, in the afternoon.
After the feeding sessions, visitors normally head for the video presentation at the visitors' centre.
The short film explained in detail the philosophy behind rehabilitation work and the importance of the work of the rangers of Sepilok.
The Sepilok sanctuary was established in 1964 to return orphaned orang utans back into the wild and promote research and public education on conservation.
Between 50 and 80 orang utans are estimated to live in the sanctuary after being orphaned or displaced because of logging, plantation, poaching and animal trafficking.
At the centre, orphaned orang utans are trained to live an independent life in their natural habitat.
When they are ready, they are moved to the protected rainforest reserve where visitors get a chance to see these tree-dwelling mammals.
It costs about RM7,500 a year to care for one orang utan at the centre. Besides donations, members of the public are also encouraged to adopt orang utans there.
