Sepilok - And First Contact!

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Slowly catching up with blog entries but limited internet access and slow connection are not making it easy.

Well finally made it to Sandakan after a short flight and car journey we are finally at Sepilok and our home for the next 2 months. We hurriedly dropped our belongs in a basic but pleasant enough Resthouse as we had been informed we were going to go and watch the Orangutans at the feeding platform. The Resthouse is conveniently located just few hundred years from Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre and our workplace - am I going to miss my 2 hour morning commute to work - I don't think so!!!

After quick intros of the staff at the Resthouse I headed off to my first sight of Orangutans - it is hard to believe I have given up my job and come all this way to help and work with creatures until this day I have never even seen but when you see your first sight it is the most amazing experience. A small young Orangutan peeked shyly from behind with these big intelligent eyes.

The feeding event was slightly disturbed by the appearance of Mr G a big male orangutan that scared many younger ones off and only the brave made it to feed and one mother and baby who were obviously hungry and took the risk.

I took lots of photos but I am glad cameras are not allowed when working because it I can see how it would be a distraction. Watching the Orangutans feeding was amazing but the re-gurgitation of bananas and sucking it back up may be natural for them but left me feeling a bit queasy.

Some of the Orangutans seemed more interested in play than the bananas until the Macacs made there appearance and started stealing bananas that is!

Afterwards we meet Sylvia and out boss for the placement - she seems really nice and I now really excited and can't wait to get to work with them.

Meet my little adopted Orangutan - Naru and he is as gorgeous in the flesh as his photo and touching his little outreached hand was just an amazing feeling and left me on such a high.

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Comments

[Mike G]

Bananas
Hi Anita, Interesting - I thought everybody ate bananas that way. There is a lot of hanging around going on by them OO's. No wonder they have arms and fingers like that. Great pics. Take care.

[Karina]

Great Photos
Hi Anita Absolutely love your photos. I was fortunate enough to be in last year's June/July placement and loved every bit of it, the photos bring back some lovely memories! Karina