Katie Walley - feedback on her placement at the Orang-Utan centre
What
experience do you feel you gained?
This has been a life changing experience. One that has allowed me to see
some fantastic things - the release of the 23 year old male who has been
at Sepilok for 8 years, to take 8 month old Orang-Utans to play at the
lake, to teach them to climb ropes, to watch the rehabilitated Orang-Utans
swing through trees in the forest. It has been too amazing to put into
words. I have also learnt so much about orang-utans. I bought a book on
them whilst out here but the facts I have learnt from the staff at Sepilok
have made me even more passionate about them and their current plight. I
have become more sure of who I am as a person and what I want to do with
my life. This placement has given me the perspective I needed.
What was the best thing about your placement? I could not narrow it
down to one experience. I just think of certain moments such as bathing
Toby who is 5 after one of the others pooed on his head - when am I ever
going to get to do that again?!! Or when we met the minister for Tourism
at the handing over of the Land Rover that was bought by the UK Appeal and
aided by Land Rover Malaysia. Or when I got to take the babies onto the
ropes and teach them to climb them. Or just hanging out at Sepilok Jungle
Resort with the rest of the volunteers talking about what we had all done
that day and what funny things our
favourite
orang-utans had done.
Would you recommend
this placement to anyone else? I would definitely recommend this
placement. I have never had one regret about coming here - only wishing
that I could have done it sooner and that it lasted for longer than 2
months!
What type of person
do you think this placement would suit? I have really felt this
placement has tested my character in many ways so I believe it has to be
someone with a strong will and determination. At times this placement
isn't just physically tiring but emotionally tiring as well. There are
days when you are very tired and you must be strong minded enough to work
through these days.
There were times when I felt suffocated by the
environment and the people you are working with but the excitement of
working at Sepilok overweighs that enormously.
Obviously, they must
love orang-utans and be fully committed to their rehabilitation.
Someone who wants to know more about the conservation efforts and is
determined to help in whatever way, even if it is whole days just cleaning
buildings.
On this placement you cannot help but become attached to certain
orang-utans and it is incredibly hard to leave and say goodbye - so
someone who is emotionally stronger than me as I cried for a week before
leaving!!!
Can
you think of any improvements that could be made to the placement? I
honestly cannot think of any improvements that can be made. Everything
was wonderful. The accommodation was a lot better than I had expected it
to be, I was so happy to see that we had our own bathroom and air con and
to get a TV as well was such a bonus!! There were times when I was jungle
trekking where I wished I could have been working with the Orang-Utans but
that was only because I was tired and then I realised
that the work we were doing in the jungle, searching for nests, was aiding
the rehabilitation of the orang-utans and evaluating the success of the
Centre, so very important work.
I honestly cannot
praise this placement enough so anything else I can do for you, please just
yell. Thank you so much for letting me do this, I have loved every second
of it. I started crying about a week ago about leaving so I can't imagine
what I am going to be like tomorrow on my last day, I live in hope that I
can think of a way to kidnap my favourite orang-utan and bring her home!!! Many thanks, Katie
Susan Lee
on her placement at Sepilok Orang-Utan centre
A typical day in the
Indoor Nursery or Clinic is starting at 8am we would first make up the
milk for the babies and toddlers - they have different types depending
on the age and there are two orang-utans, Ampal and Osama, who have
special milk to build them up. Ampal quickly turned into my favourite as
he is so gorgeous!
We would then feed them some fruit, usually bananas in the morning and
bread for those with stomach problems! After they are all fed an watered
we start the cleaning, this involves sweeping up all of the poo and
fruit peel etc and then hose it all down with Ajax - we do the same in
the Quarantine area also. After that it is bath time for some of the
babies, we do different ones every day and this is great fun as they
love it, especially when they can play with their green rubber turtle
and splash us as much as possible!
We then take out an orang-utan each to the play areas, either the Jungle
Gym or the big area in the trees, depending on the age of the
orang-utans that are due to go out on the Rota. They play for about half
an hour and then we have to coax them back in - this is easy with the
babies but some of the older ones refuse to come down from the trees and
we have to bribe them with some fruit or bread, which usually works but
not always!! Once we have them back in we feed them a snack of Papaya or
apple or some other fruit and we head off to lunch, leaving them to eat
it.
In the afternoon it starts all over again with feeding, cleaning and
playing before they are put to bed around 4:30pm and we go back to the
Rest House and collapse. It is a very tiring day as you never stop but
it is fantastic to see the orang-utan s as happy as they are. They all
have their own personalities, some have tantrums often and others are
laid back but they are all gorgeous in their own way, even smelly Poogal
who likes to wear his food rather than eat it!
I love it!!!
Laurie Hartrey on her placement at Sepilok Orang-Utan centre
I feel that this
placement has been the most wonderful and rewarding experience ever! From
start to finish we were looked after extremely well by Travellers and the
staff at Sepilok.
New volunteers should start the placement with an
open-mind and be able to accept that some cultures can be very different
from their own. Anyone doing this placement needs a good sense of humour,
patience and a willingness to get involved without worrying about getting
their hands dirty!
Some of the highlights of my placement were: meeting
people with the same interests as myself, seeing a wild elephant (on the Sukau excursion), drinking tea and playing croquet at the English Tea
house in Sandakan and visiting Malaysian Karaoke bars!
I knew my time
here would be amazing but I think that is an understatement! I will never
forget my time spent in Malaysia and all of the new friends that I have
made. Thank you to Vicky, Albert and everyone at Travellers for making a
life-times ambition come true.
Melissa Wardrop-Pearson on her placement at Sepilok Orang-Utan centre
I cant believe I've nearly finished my
second week of work, it is going way to fast! The new enrichment programme
is brilliant, I never realised how intelligent the orang-utans are. We've
made a collection box for the tourists that visit the centre to donate
empty water bottles which we give to the orang-utans with a little bit of
honey in the bottom, we then give them a stick and they've learnt to scoop
out the honey! sometimes we also fill the bottles with bits of fruit,
beans leaves and sticks, flatten the bottles and watch the orang-utans
find a way to get out the fruit.
During the afternoons of our jungle
trekking week we've just helped make a new play area for the younger
orang-utans with a platform up and ropes connecting to all the surrounding
trees. The orang-utans love it and it is a great way to get the
orang-utans like Rosalinda, which are normally frightened of climbing into
the trees.
The other jobs we have been doing is
feeding and bathing the orang-utans, comfort and care sessions (basically
cuddle time) cleaning and sweeping and jungle trekking where we survey the
orang-utan's nests in the forest. So far It's all been amazing. Thanks,
Mel
Kerrie Bayliss on her placement at Sepilok Orang-Utan
centre
What experience do you feel you have
gained? I gained invaluable experience in all
aspects of orang-utan conservation, behaviour and care. I learnt a lot about
the species and the threats to their survival. I also gained an insight into
the care of Sumatran Rhino's. As well as the conservation side, I
experienced a new country and culture where I tried new foods and came home
knowing how to speak a little Malay.
What was the best thing about your
placement? Being able to participate and being treated like one of the
staff. The work gave us amazing responsibilities and the hands on nature of
the work was more than I had expected. It is very hard to pick one thing as
working with the babies in the indoor nursery was magical, but it was a
wonderful feeling to watch the older ones on their way to "freedom" at the
outdoor nursery, because this is what the project is for. The most amazing
moment was standing in the forest with one of the rehabilitated mothers
swinging with her baby right over my head.
Would you recommend this placement to
anyone else? Definitely! I would recommend this placement to anyone with
an interest in conservation and primates. I couldn't speak highly enough
about how enjoyable the experience was for me.
What type of Person do you think this
placement would suit? Volunteers need to be reasonably fit; enjoy
working as part of a team; enjoy experiencing new cultures and meeting
people; but above all, have an interest in orang-utans and enthusiasm for
working towards their conservation. They should be up for getting "stuck in"
no matter how hot, dirty or tired they get!
Anna Harrison, on her placement at Sepilok
Orang-Utan Centre
My
placement in Malaysia
was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I was extremely
nervous in the run up to my departure, but from the moment I stepped off
the plane, to the day I left the place I now called home, everyone was
nothing but friendly and welcoming. You arrive in a place where everything
and everyone is alien, but within a couple of weeks you feel like you
belong there.
We were all so excited about meeting the Orang-Utans and
starting work, but the actual experience was far greater than anything any
of us could have imagined. We got to know the Orang-Utans by name and
understand all the little characteristics which made them so individual.
Their gentleness and intelligence astounded me every day. It is the sort
of work you never grow tired of, I think I could quite happily have stayed
forever.
We also got to know the local people who work at the centre and at the
jungle resort where we stayed. I made many friends who will always have a
special place in my heart. Being invited to local parties and going to the
numerous karaoke bars with these friends added to my experience even more,
making it the happiest two months of my life.
I would advice everyone to do a placement. There are times
when it’s difficult and you have to be prepared to work hard. But if you
go there with a willingness to learn and a want to help, you will find it
the most enjoyable experience of your life (you will also return never
wanting to look at another pack of cards again!).
I learnt to rely on myself and came back a more confident and
mature person. It helped me gain focus and I am ready to carry on in my
life with more enthusiasm and purpose.I could talk for pages about my
experiences, but I’ll stop here and end by saying a huge thank you to
everyone who made this once in a lifetime chance possible and who made me
feel so welcome while I was there. Hopefully this wont be the last I see
of you all. Anna
James Eacott on his placement at Sepilok Orang-Utan
Centre
What
experience do you feel you gained?
Patience!! - The baby Orang-Utans run riot over you, so patience to get
them back has definitely been developed! I've learnt to mix better with
this totally different culture and respect their lifestyle - not that I
didn’t in the first place, but I understand more about them definitely.
What
was the best thing about your placement? The jungle...there’s nothing
like it! And I suppose the Orang-Utans aren’t too bad either - but even
after just 4 weeks you start taking for granted the fact that you can just
go along and play with them and teach them to climb etc!!
Would
you recommend this placement to anyone else? Definitely, but you
really have to love Orang-Utans to bits to do it. Having Orang-Utans wee
on you every day, exploding with diarrhoea next to you, and being sick
into their hands and wiping it all on you really tests your love for
them!!! Be prepared!!
Can
you describe a typical day? (e.g Start time, morning duties, lunch hours,
afternoon duties, any other duties.... )
Typical day in the Outdoor Husbandry:
7am - crawl out of bed and have breakfast
8am-arrive at work and split into your groups and go off to wherever you
are working!
By 8.30, you'll be sweeping the path to the husbandry area (as the area is
a
short walk into the jungle)
10am -
feeding time...carry the bananas to the tourist feeding platform for the
ranger and watch the tourists clicking away while you are trying to
prepare for your exam on the names of the Orang-Utans at the end of the
week, by pointing them out - always unsuccessfully!!
11am - make up milk for them and take some more bananas out for them on
the platform - you usually don’t make it there before they all jump on you
and take everything you have!!
12pm -
lunch...chance to relax a bit at the Rest-house. The food is excellent!!
2pm-back to work until 4pm...Repeating the duties done in the morning.
4pm-back to Rest-house and always go to bed for a well earned kip, until
supper time at about 7-8pm.
10pm-everyones already back in bed snoring peacefully! That’s about it
really!! James
Sarah Batty on
her placement at Sepilok
I've got so many fantastic
memories that I will cherish forever. I just hope one day to go back and see
all of the staff and orang-utans.
It would be brilliant to go
and see Joey and Rosalinda (the two babies) in 5 or 6 years time to see how
they are getting on. I think that the work happening at the centre is
fantastic and it is so encouraging seeing people that genuinely care about
the animals. The staff were all great and very welcoming. We couldn't have
hoped for a better time.
Being in close contact with the orang-utans
was just incredible and feeling that we were doing something good towards
helping their cause was also vital to our enjoyment.
I felt devastated having to leave, but I feel
so grateful to have had such an amazing experience whilst hopefully at the
same being of good use to the centre.
Thank you again for all your and the rest of
the Travellers team have done in making a dream come true. I really did have
an experience of a lifetime and if I could I would go back tomorrow. It
bizarre to think it was a year ago that we were in Sepilok but the memories
are as vivid and special as ever.
The experience made me seriously think
about taking up a course in Animal Care after I finish my Art and English
degree. I had been searching to do something like the orang-utan project for
years and had always come to a dead end - this completely made up for that -
I only wish I was still there!!
Karen Herring on her placement at the Orang-Utan
centre
Just after her arrival:
Hi Vicky
Oh my god, it's so
fantastic!!! The journey was so long and was so nice to meet the other
girls and chat on the flight.
We hardly slept at all and was
nice to see Albert's friendly face at the airport. Collapsed into bed though
and next day was up early and getting used to our surroundings. I absolutely
love it. We've just arrived at Sepilok (so apologies for any spelling
mistakes as this pc is a little slow)!
We've met with Sylvia and she
took us to the feeding platform this afternoon and we had our first glimpse
of the orang-utans and it was so amazing to see them. I can't wait for our
induction on Friday and to start work on Monday.
Will write again next week
once we've got started. Still can't believe I'm here! Take care, Karen
After one Week: Hi Vicky
Just reporting in after a
full week of work and it is absolutely fantastic. I was working in the
outdoor nursery last week and fell in love with all of the orang-utans
especially Angkong!
It was wonderful seeing
them climbing and on a night trek saw Pat and Sulimah build their nests (the
rest were lazy and slept on the floor!). The outdoor nursery isn't hard not
once the cleaning has been done. The rest of the time we get to feed and
observe them and note their characteristics and try to distinguish between
them (which can be hard sometimes!).
The highlight of my week
was when mum and baby came into the nursery and she took a bunch of bananas
out of my hand - amazing. Will email again soon. With
best regards, Karen
At the end of her
placement: It
has been a totally amazing and life changing experience. From our arrival at
Sepilok Rest House all the staff made us feel so welcome straight away it
felt like it was our home. From living in a different culture, sampling the
local cuisine, seeing the happy smiling faces of all the people was a
humbling experience. I've made so many friends and I've learnt so much from
the rangers about the orang-utans and the staff never tire of our endless
stream of questions. Watching the orang-utans in the trees was
breathtaking, an experience I will never ever forget. I thought I would
freak out when I got a leech but I quite liked them and loved going to sleep
each night listening to the sounds of the jungle. It was so calming. Also, I
didn't think I had a maternal instinct in my body but I fell in love with
the babies especially Acutboy and had no trouble changing his nappy. I've
come away a much calmer, patient, tolerant person with clear objectives for
the future and know that I want to become involved in conservation projects.
What was the best thing about your placement?
Working in the outdoor nursery and seeing the orang-utans in their natural
environment, the forest. This was what I came here to see and I could spend
hours just sitting on the platform observing them in the trees; watching
them interact with the other orang-utans and seeing the difference in their
characters. I think Dusain got fed up of me as I never wanted to go
home!!! There was also the time when Mimi came into the outdoor nursery with
her baby Rooney. I really wasn't sure whether to hold the bananas out to her
or throw them as the baby is only 7 months old and she is protective towards
him. But I needn't have worried, I just held them out for her and stood
there in awe as she took them from me. And finally, one morning when we
walked up to the outdoor nursery to collect the wheelbarrow we arrived to
find the cage (office) in chaos as the clever orangs had broken the padlock,
stole the bananas, drank the milk and literally ran riot! Oh, and in my
final week I placed Acutboy on the grass by the lake and let go and he
didn't scream and try to cling onto me. He's finally claiming some
independence and I felt really emotional.
What type of person do you think this placement would suit? Someone with a
love of orang-utans, who wants to learn more about why they are so
endangered and have a hands on experience with them and who doesn't mind
getting their hands dirty as there is a lot of cleaning. Also someone
who doesn't mind spending 2 weeks of the project trekking and drenched in
sweat!
Typical day in the Indoor nursery:
We start at 8am and the first job is to transfer the orang-utans from the
night cages to the playing cages using a wheelbarrow to transport them which
is great fun as they always want to escape, especially Suzannah. Then we
clean under the cages and in them if they've had upset tummies and then wash
the area with dettol. We then peel bananas for the orang-utans and bears and
feed them, ensuring that you've given each orang-utan/bear the same
quantity! Then we boil water so we can sterilise all the equipment and do
any washing that's required. Then we make milk for the 2 babies and prepare
their bath. Make sure the water is at the correct temperature and bathe
them quickly so as they don't get cold, then dry them and put a nappy
on. Make milk or electrolyte for the other 2 in quarantine and then its play
time. We are usually finished by 9.30 - 10.00 so for the final hour or so we
take out the babies and usually Sogo Sogo who is in quarantine down to the
lake and relax and feed them their milk. Then at 11ish we take them back and
head off for a long delicious lunch. At 2pm we're back at the indoor
nursery, boil more water, peel and feed bananas again, make up electrolyte
for the orang-utans/bears and feed them individually. Make milk for the
babies and then take out a few of the larger orang-utans so they can climb
on the ropes and in the trees (trying not to let them escape to the outdoor
nursery!). This is great fun and I'm hoping they'll extend this area more
and put more ropes in. Then at 3.30 we take them back and we transfer them
via wheelbarrow back to the night cages. Then it's cleaning time. Clean
under both the playing cages and quarantine and rinse with dettol. Take out
the rubbish and then prepare baths for the babies again, get them dressed
and make electrolyte for them. At 4.30 we say goodbye to them and go
home. It's hard work but very rewarding.
This
project has been a totally wonderful experience. I really can't fault it at
all. Excellently run, wonderful and friendly staff who trusted us with the
orang-utans 100%. Thanks for making it is special and for giving me the
opportunity to work with such fantastic people and wonderful orang-utans. It
surpassed all of my expectations. I was taught how to be confident in front
of them, never to show that you're afraid (even when they're sinking their
teeth into your leg - ouch!) and to be able to identify them all was
amazing. I loved the time I spent with the orang-utans and I loved the
trekking (just make them longer as 2.5 hours isn't enough). Thanks
once again. Best regards, Karen.
Fiona McBain on her placement at Sepilok Orang-Utan centre
The best thing
about the placement was simply watching the orang-utans interacting with
each other, it was so special. They are so human like and their behaviour
is so similar to ours! I really enjoyed the paediatric work as you always
had something to be getting on with and it was the best feeling feeding the
babies and then taking them down to the lake.
I feel I have
acquired a lot of experience from this placement, especially working with
people who do not speak English. I have learnt how to communicate with
people better and managed to work as part of a team. It is really character
building and helps you to appreciate what you have.
I would
definitely recommend this placement to other people. This is such a mind
broadening experience and you learn so much about the local culture and also
the dangers and issues that are currently going on with the Orang-utans.
Rachel Bush - on her placement
at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
Hi Vicky,
I hope you had a great time in Malaysia! Aren't the people there just
fantastic, they were so welcoming and hospitable to us. Being the 'best
volunteers so far' and being praised makes me feel so happy I can't tell
you. We worked so hard there and tried to make such a difference and have
an impact on all their lives, which we obviously achieved. That's
brilliant. We bought towels to make hammocks for the Orang-Utans in their
cages as they had nothing, just to go in each morning and see them curled
up in them was rewarding! We had ropes and tyres put in the outdoor play
cages where there weren't any and we cleaned to within an inch of our
lives!!
I hear the new volunteers are getting
a bit wet! I hate life back home and can't seem to settle, I miss Sepilok
so much and all the babies! I've made two great friends in Kat and Sarah
and we've stayed in touch which is lovely, I miss them too! ...Well, take care and thank you for
arranging the experience that has changed my life! Rachel
Robyn Howes on her placement at the Orang-Utan centre
Hi Vicky,
I'm having such a good time so far, the
country is amazing. We all had a lot of fun in the 5* hotel! It is like
paradise island! I could not believe how lucky I was to be there.
Sepilok is really nice - it has such lovely
surroundings, and I am really looking forward to starting work with the
Orang-Utans on Monday.
I will email again when we have started the
placement, I hope you're well, speak to you soon, Robyn
After her placement:
I have gained an experience of a life time! One I wont ever
forget! It was an experience in its self just going out there and not
knowing anyone. I feel I have learnt how to be more independent and how to
work with such amazing animals, - a once in a life time opportunity.
All I can say is that these 2 months were the
best 2 months of my life, and I don't think anything will ever top that in
the future. What made the placement even better was the fact that everyone
was so lovely we all got on so well, I was so happy to be sharing the
experience with such great friends, - we all had such a laugh! The staff at
the rest house made us all feel so welcome - it really did feel like our
second home! I miss them all so much!
There was never a day that went by when I
didn't realise how lucky I was to be there! It really was a dream come true
for me. I won't ever forget all the amazing memories I had out there. Thank
you travellers for helping me make my dream come true!
Natalie Hunt on her placement at Sepilok Orang-Utan
centre
Hey Vicky!
I'm writing this email from
Sepilok rest house at the moment - it's a really nice place to stay, I think
we're all going to feel at home in no time.
Emily and I were in Sabah for 2
weeks before we met the group and we had a fantastic time - visited the
islands off KK, went to a place called 'uncle tans' for a few days which is
staying in a camp by the Kinabatangan river, and basically exploring the
area and the city.
I love the country already, the
Malaysian people are so sweet, always eager to please you and so generous!
All the girls in this project are
lovely, we get on great and had a really good few days staying at nice
hotels. Placement seems brilliant so far, looking forward to starting work
on Monday. thanks so much for organising it all! xxx
Alex Ramsden on her placement at the Orang-Utan centre
What experience do you feel you
have gained?This
placement was literally a dream come true for me
and the reality of it was beyond all of my expectations. Working with the
Orang-utans was amazing and gave me a unique insight into the importance of
wildlife conservation. Spending a prolonged period of time amongst the
locals there (and being welcomed so warmly in and out of work at Sepilok)
enabled a fascinating and most enjoyable time in a culture so different to
our own.
What was the best thing about your
placement? I must say
that all aspects had their own particular charm, but being surrounded by the
larger orang-utans on the feeding platforms in the jungle – and watching
them – was the highlight for me personally.
What
type of person do you think this placement would suit? Somebody who
does not get bored easily and is willing to do all aspects of the work (i.e.
jungle trekking and cleaning as well as cuddling the babies).Somebody who is able to interact and show interest
in/with the locals and their culture.
Sally Burch on her placement at Sepilok Orang-Utan
centre
Hi Vicky, sorry its taken so long
to reply, I am only now getting back to normal after the most amazing 2
months of my life!! I had the best time right from day one. The girls I were
with were absolutely amazing & I couldn't wish for a better group - we all
got on so well & I've made some very good friends.
The staff both at our
accommodation and at the centre itself were some of the nicest people I've
ever met. The rest house staff became our adopted family & looked after us
so well. They cooked us lovely food & we had a lot of fun with them. They
even gave us little presents when we left, they were fantastic. Sylvia & all
the rangers at the centre were amazing too, they were so friendly and I was
so sad to leave them. By the end of our two months they all seemed more like
our friends than work colleagues. I'm definitely going to start saving to go
back & visit.
Thank you so much for giving me
this wonderful opportunity - its something I will never forget. I'll
definitely be applying to travellers again in the future for another
placement, hopefully you'll have me again!
Thanks again, Sally Burch
Sarah Gregory
on her placement at the Orang-Utan centre
A typical day in orang-utan husbandry or the
outdoor nursery starts at 8 to
8.15 when you meet the allotted ranger at the centre. You load a wheelbarrow
with bananas and walk up with the ranger to the outdoor nursery. The area is
normally very quiet with only a couple of teenage orang-utans about but as
word gets out that the bananas have arrived more and more descend from the
trees. We spend about fifteen minutes at the start of the morning with us
locked in the cage which serves as an impromptu office and the orang-utans
outside reaching through to us - a strange reverse of the normal situation.
After catching up with the ranger for this
time we go and feed some of the teenage orang-utans on a close by feeding
platform. We normally give them a few slices of bread each to encourage them
to move away from the outdoor nursery and into the forest and leave us able
to sweep the nursery area. At this point it is not unusual for one of the
larger adolescent males to turn up to steal all the bread and we have to
make a fast exit form the platform. We are not supposed to touch or comfort
the orang-utans at this stage of their rehabilitation as they are close to
returning to the wild and are meant to be as independent as possible,
however if one of the more boisterous young males tries to wrestle with you
then you are allowed to wrestle him back! Feeding and fighting time is
followed by about half an hour of sweeping the leaves from the nursery -
which is strangely enjoyable as you get to watch the orang-utans around you
playing with each other. At about 10am we head back to the indoor nursery
area and the younger orang-utans for play time. On the way we collect leaves
and branches to place in the younger orang-utans cages to encourage them to
build nests. We take out 6 orang-utans between six volunteers and have two
hours with them. We spend time giving then leaves and branches and
encouraging them to interact with each other.
For the younger babies a lot of cuddles and
comforting is the order of the day. Some of the time is also spent
encouraging the orang-utans to climb on the ropes and trees around the
nursery. This is done by hiding fruit in the trees or putting your
orang-utan on the ropes and making a dash for it before they grab you again
in the case of the more clingy ones. At 11.45 we put the orang-utans back in
their cages with some food and drink for their efforts and return to the
rest house for a much needed 2 hour lunch break. We return to then centre at
2pm and it is our groups job to clean cages. We each clean 1 of the indoor
cages with dettol and scrubbing brushes and then help another group clean
and tidy under the outdoor cages. We have a few minutes to prepare for
outdoor play time so we may cut up fruit and place it in bottles, hide
bananas, or even once tried to make honey lolly pops which got very messy!
Then we have an hour of play with the older orang-utans (about 5 years old).
They are let out of their cage in one orange rush and are into everything -
it is not unlike babysitting an extremely energetic and strong toddler.
There is lots of running around and play fighting and again we try to
encourage some climbing. Then all too soon for the orang-utans and just
about as we are ready to collapse it is bed time. At 3.45 we put all the
orang-utans to bed in their indoor cages and feed them one last time. As we
give them their last bits of bread or fruit we all rush out the door whilst
they are distracted and unable to scream for us to come back and play some
more. It is time to go back to the rest house and have a much needed shower
and of course tackle the dreaded hand washing.
Rebecca Dechant on her placement at Sepilok Orang-Utan centre
Throughout my experience I gained so much
knowledge about orang-utans especially working in the outdoor nursery with
the orang-utans that were mainly 6+. This was amazing to see them getting
more independent and learning about their daily behaviour patterns that
cannot be experienced anywhere else. I was then able to use this knowledge
when visitors to the centre asked me questions and I was surprised at how
much I knew when they asked me. Working with the babies taught me how much
they depend on their mothers for such a long time - which I hadn't realised
before I started. I gained experience with getting on with a varied group of
people and I managed to get on well with everyone for the whole placement.
Overall the best thing was working in the clinic
doing the medical checks with Dr Cecelia. She is amazing and her knowledge
about orang-utans amazed me. It was really interesting to see how similar
orang-utan babies are to human babies as well. I also enjoyed staying in
Tuaran while working at the Rasa Ria Resort. This gave me a real insight
into living in Malaysia and has made me re-plan my travels this year and I
am now going back to Malaysia to experience and see some more, which I may
never have wanted to do if I hadn't done this placement. Everything was
amazing especially the amount of trips we got to take part in (e.g. Sipadan
and climbing Mount Kinabalu) which made the trip so much better!!
Definitely! If you want to work with
orang-utans it's really hands on but making sure that you get to see the
rehabilitation process at the same time. I would say to anyone considering
taking part: It may seem like a lot of money at the time of booking it but
as soon as I first held a baby orang-utan I knew it was worth so much
more... priceless!!
We seemed to have a mixed type of person on
our trip, going from me being the youngest and the oldest person who was in
their 60's, and everyone enjoyed it as much as the other I think so I think
most people can go. I think I got a lot out of it by having an open mind
when I went and this is very important because then you can only be happy at
what you get there. I was a very out-going person when I went and when I
finished so this definitely helped me merge into the group quickly. Some
people were a lot slower to become more of a part of the group but if you
are willing to make an effort anyone can enjoy it!!
From a
personal level having many allergies, I would advise anyone with dietary
requirements to talk to Amoy, the chef, as soon as they arrive. She speaks
very good English and can basically cook any combination of things off the
menu and will do her best to help... she was ace! Haven't got any
improvements or a bad thing to say about the placement!!! Thank you so much
Travellers for making a dream come true and I will definitely do another
placement again!
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+44 01903 502595
