The wild man of Borneo

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The Orang Utan rehabilitation centre is on the northern side of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo and is home to between 60 - 80 Orang Utans. Most of them have been rescued and then rehabilitated to life back in the Kebilli Sepilok reserve. We arived at the centre in the afternoon to view the great apes taking advantage of the milk and bannana subsidies they recieve while trying to adapt to there natural wild life. The viewing platform is about 300 metres in at the edge of the forest and is as far as tourists are allowed to venture. Surrounded by tall trees and various tropical plants the elevated platform allowed us to view the Orang utans from a safe distance and away from the nasty fire ants and leeches on the forest floor.

The first animals we saw were the cheeky pig tailed macaques who aparently apear for every feeding to see what they can get. We sat watching the macaques take their chances with the feeding staff which although entertaining was like watching a support act that you didn't really want to see because we were all looking forward to the main event a bit too much. What it seemed that I or any of the audience hadn't considered was that we may not even get a main event as sometimes the Orang utans don't need the subsidies, particulary when the forrest is in fruit. Fortunatley for us that wasn't the case. After about 20 minutes there was a rustle in the distance, one of the guide ropes started to shake up and down and then in view came our first Orang utan swinging along the rope. It fantastic watching her gracefully move arm to arm along the rope, within seconds the audience (and me) got our cameras out and started snapping away whereas the macaques scarpered. During the afternoon three other Orangs came for their fruit and milk and also to see there former keepers who it seemed like they had genuine affection for. One of the more inquisitive of the apes decided to come within feet of us and size us up, her name was Ganang. It was amazing seeing her so close; her movements and facial expressions were so familiar and human like,
it felt like she was trying to communicate with us. We watched her as she watched us for several minutes before we were told that time was up.

The Orang utan rehabilitation centre is a great place and a real success story, according to the reports they have rescued nearly 300 apes since 1964. Most are victims of reduced habitat or have become pets or orphans. The centre cares for them for as long as is needed and then rehabilitates them making them self sufficient and able to live alone in the jungle. In the reserve there are four feeding platforms where the reserve staff take milk and fruit for the Orangs on their way to becoming real kings of the swingers. Each platform is set further and further into the forrest designed to encourage the Orangs to live as far from human habitation as possible. Once rehabilitated for life in the forrest many of the Orang's never return although there are exceptions. One such exception is Mi-mi who often returns to show off her son who was born in the wild. We were very fortunate to see mimi on our last visit (we went three times) who true to form was parading like a very proud mother with her son Roni trailing close behind.

Like so much on this trip seeing Orang utans was a fantastic experience which also felt like a real privilage. They are an endangered species and one I never thought I would ever get to see, thankfully I have and I haven't been disapointed. It is also really satisfying to know how well the centre is doing and that the Malaysian government offers its full support. I hope the success continues so that future generations, like me can watch in awe at the majesty of the wild man of borneo.

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