Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Orang Utans spend most of their time in the treetops of the rainforest. They are found only in Borneo and Sumatra (Indonesia). It's very difficult to determine exactly their population but evidence such as studies of nests suggests that ten years ago there were fewer than 30,000 left in the world, today there could be as few as 15,000 the majority of which live in Borneo. This drastic reduction is not a result of natural extinction but rather mans reduction of their natural habit, the rainforest. In the last 20 years an estimated 80 per cent of suitable Orang Utan habitat has disappeared, and only around two per cent of what remains is legally protected. The main causes of this habitat loss are commercial logging, clearance for agriculture, and conversion to plantations. When areas of forest are destroyed, the Orang Utans lose both their home and source of food (fruit and leaves). Not only does commercial logging destroy the forest, it is often done illegally, creating roads into previously inaccessible areas, which provides access to poachers. Despite legal protection in Sumatra and Borneo, Orang Utans are often killed for their meat - their slow movements make them easy targets. More serious is the trade in body parts, particularly skulls, which continues despite the efforts of the authorities to stop it. The market in Orang Utans for pets thrives in many Asian countries.

In 1962 Barbara Harrison with the backing WWF visited Sabah and reported that the Orang Utan was an endangered species and campaigned for its protection. In 1963 they became officially protected under the Fauna Conservation Ordinance, which, among other things, prohibits hunting, trading or keeping them as pets. Barbara Harrison then began to rescue young orangutans being kept locally as pets, and the idea grew of training these animals to fend for themselves so that they might re-adapt to life in the wild. In 1964 43 sq Km of jungle rainforest was set aside and the Sepilok Rehabilitation centre was established to return orphaned apes back to the wild.

Today around 80 Orang Utans are living free in the reserve and there are about 25 juveniles and babies living in the nurseries at the centers buildings. The reserve called Kabili - Sepilok is named after two rivers draining the area and flowing into Sandakan Bay.

We have visited and been supporters of the centre for a number of years during which time we have heard conflicting opinions from people that have visited. Some likening it to a circus or Zoo, saying that it is too "touristy". We couldn’t disagree more, the thing is if you're going there expecting to see wild orang utans swinging from the tree’s forget it, those that have been living in the reserve for a long time don't come to the platform for feeding, they are not seen by the tourists, they have been rehabilitated. What you see are those that are in the last stage of rehabilitation. They have been released but are either a little lazy or still a bit timid to find their own food, so they return to platform for an easy snack. The food supplied by the centre is purposefully designed to be monotonous and boring so as to encourage the apes to start to forage for themselves. Most animals eventually achieve total independence and become integrated into Sepilok's wild orang utan population. To avoid overcrowding the forest, some are relocated to Tabin Wildlife Reserve, an area of virgin rainforest twice the size of Singapore. Click here to read about the latest release of Musouri.

In our opinion, the centre with the help of the Sepilok Orangutan Appeal UK carries out great work for the conservation and preservation of the Orang utan population in Malaysian Borneo and they provide vital education for both local people and foreign visitors. It is very rare and difficult to see these beautiful animals in the wild as they live in dense jungle and their numbers are so few. At Sepilok you are guaranteed to see the apes and by understanding the work that is being done and why it’s done this way you won't be disappointed with your visit.

Not to be ignored are the pig tail and long tail macaques that often join the apes and visitors during feeding times hoping for an easy meal. They can be quite aggressive to eachother and visitors if provoked but they are quite fascinating to watch as they groom and play together. There are also various walks within the reserve taking you from tropical highland rainforest to lowland mangrove swamps offering the opportunity to see a multitude of wildlife. For more Orangutan and other primate images please visit our Borneo Primates section within Photo Collections.

Getting there
Situated on the east coast of Sabah, 23 km from Sandakan the centre is easily reached. Frequent daily flights or buses and air conditioned coaches go to Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu and Tawau. The flight takes about 40 mins the bus/coach takes about 6 hours. If you do go by bus ask to be dropped off at "Jalan Sepilok" which is a 2.5 km walk from the centre, many cars will pass and you can easily get a lift from this junction. You can join the Sepilok public bus No: Batu 14 from Sandakan bus station near the central market or get a taxi, if you are getting a taxi from the airport remember to purchase a taxi coupon before you depart. Another option is to hire a car from KK, the roads are pretty good and a four wheel drive is not necessary for Sepilok.

Feeding times at the centre are 10am and 3pm daily and a DVD show begins at 08.30/11/12/14.10 and 15.30 hrs showing some of the work being carried out there.
 
Accommodation

A stay at the Sepilok Resort is a must if you are venturing any where close to the Rehabilitation centre. If you don't have enough time to stay the night at least stay for lunch and have a wander round the beautiful landscaped Jungle gardens, home to a rich variety of bird and wildlife.

Located within an easy 5 minute walk away form the Rehabilitation centre the resort offers a perfect residence for those wishing to make more of a trip to the centre.

Images on this page are available for sale as prints. They are of limited edition with the individual number written on the reverse. We use High Quality Silver Highlight RA - 4 Process Digital Printing, the sharpness and quality of prints is exceptional. We also offer framed prints. Our frames are hand made to measure. Visit our Products Page for more information.