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The
world's largest and oldest Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
is located at Sepilok,
which is a 20-minute drive from Sandakan. An area of 11,000 acres of
virgin equatorial rainforest has been set aside as forest reserve
and orang utan rehabilitation centre. Here, you can experience a close encounter
with the "Wild Man of Borneo."
 ORANG
UTAN REHABILITATION When a
young orang utan is orphaned or kept as a pet, it is unable to live in its
natural habitat on its own; much of its survival depends on accquired
skills, which the young orang utan gets from its mother in its first five
to six years of life. At the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
orphaned or pet orang utans are trained to live an independent life in
their natural habitat. This process can be quite long, and includes a
"kindergarten," enclosed and controlled areas, and in its last stage the
open forest reserve in Sepilok, where the orang utans are free-roaming. It
is in this forest reserve where visitors get a chance to see the orang
utans. The best time to view them is during feeding times at 10 a.m, and
at 2.30 p.m, at the feeding plat-form. At other times access to the
reserve is restricted to minimise disturbance of the apes. The trail to
the feeding plat-form is a plank-walkway suitable for all visitors, and on
the way you can marvel at huge and rare rainforest trees. If you observe
the canopy closely, you will find orang utan nests, and with some luck a
curious ape will meet you on the way to the platform. Please do under no
circumstances touch the animals, and be aware of the naughty pig and
long-tail macaques. Leave your bag, inclusive handphone, cigarettes and
mosquito repellent at the reception, where you have to pay entrance and
camera / video fees.
After the feeding of the orang utan it is recommended that you head for
the video presentation at the visitor centre. The short film explains in
detail the philosophy of the rehabilitation, and the importance of the
work of the rangers of Sepilok.
TRAVEL
TIPS
Sepilok can be
reached by car or public transport from Sandakan town. If you purchase a tour package from
a tour operator, transport will be ready
to pick you up from your hotel, or from the Sandakan Airport. Make sure you bring the following gear:
insect repellent,
long trousers and long-sleeved shirt (no loud colours please), raincoat, sunhat,
trekking boots or trainers, binoculars, camera & water bottle.
Other areas of interest around Sepilok are the
Crocodile Farm, or you can proceed to Gomantong and Sukau.
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