ORANG-UTAN PROJECT AT SEPILOK

Orang-Utans are astonishingly gentle, highly intelligent and they gaze at you with almost disconcerting frankness! At Sepilok you will have the opportunity to work with these gentle and highly intelligent red apes in their natural environment. Interaction with these remarkable creatures, man's closest relative, will be an unforgettable experience!

The Orang-Utan is one of the most endangered of Malaysian wildlife species. Found only in Borneo and Sumatra, the Orang-Utans’ survival is constantly threatened by forest fires, felling of trees, poaching and illegal hunting.

 

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre is located near Sandakan, in Malaysian Borneo. This centre was set up as a means of housing injured or orphaned Orang-Utans, caring for them and nursing them back to health before they can be released into the forest. Many Orang-Utans that end up here have strayed into logging camps or been rescued from captivity. Many are orphaned babies that cannot survive in the forest alone.

"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 had been at Sepilok for 8 years, taking 8 month old orang utans to play at the lake, teaching them to climb ropes, watching the rehabilitated orang utans swing through trees in the forest. It has been too amazing to put into words."

We adopt an Orang Utan for each volunteer through the Orangutan Appeal, a charity dedicated to the rehabilitation and preservation of these wonderful animals. To read about the amazing work they do, please visit http://www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk/

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into South East Asia and Malaysian culture.

• The enormous satisfaction of helping Orang-utans knowing that you made a difference to them.

• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

ABOUT THE SEPILOK ORANG-UTAN REHABILITATION CENTRE:
Orang-Utans (in Malay "man of the forest") are protected under the Fauna Conservation Ordinance which, among other things, prohibits hunting, trading or keeping them as pets.  

The Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre is situated on the east coast of Sabah, 23 km from Sandakan. A twenty-minute drive from Sandakan brings you to Kabili-Sepilok Forest, an enormous area of virgin rainforest. The wealth of indigenous and rare plants, animals and birds that have found sanctuary here must be seen to be believed. The Wildlife Reserve contains the Orang-Utan rehabilitation centre. This project is based in two locations; At Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre and at the Nature Interpretation Centre of the Rasa Ria Resort. You will be based at both locations during your placement but the majority of your time will be spent at Sepilok Centre.

Sepilok centre was established in 1964 to return orphaned apes back to the wild. The objectives of the project have expanded in recent years and while Orang-Utan rehabilitation is still the primary goal at Sepilok, present aims include public education on conservation and research with other endangered species such as captive breeding of the rare and endangered rhinoceros. The centre now has more than 37 staff looking after the welfare of the Orang-Utans.

The Nature Interpretation Centre is based at Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, situated approximately one hours drive north of Sabah’s capital, Kota Kinabalu. The nature reserve, encompassing 64 acres, was established in 1996 in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department, aimed primarily at nature conservation and orang-utan rehabilitation, with research, study and education of secondary importance. The Nature Interpretation Centre is set in the grounds of the Shangri La resort, a 5* hotel catering for luxury holidays in Sabah. During your two month project in Malaysia you will spend around 9 days at the Nature Interpretation Centre.

When the rescued Orang-Utans first arrive at the centre, they are often in a sorry state and riddled with diseases. They are put into cages while they're treated for their ailments and nursed back to health. The wardens then teach them how to forage for fruit, climb trees and generally fend for themselves. When they are mid-way through the rehabilitation process they are released into the surrounding forest reserve. The animals then spend most of their time in the forest but often return to one of the centers five feeding platforms for a “free” meal. When the wardens feel that that an Orang-Utan is fully rehabilitated, it is caught and returned to the wild - usually deep in the forest or to one of the National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Mangrove Forest Trail - This is the most famous trail in the Sepilok Centre and takes about 2-3 hours walking one way.  Interesting features include a scenic stream, water-holes, transitional forest, pristine lowland rain forest, boardwalks into the mangrove forest and wildlife tracks.

WORK CONTENT AT SEPILOK:
Specific duties may vary depending on what is required at the time. During your placement it is likely that you will;

• Learn about Orang-Utan Husbandry Management by working in both the Indoor and Outdoor Nursery.

• Learn about Orang-Utan Paediatric and Veterinary Care.

• Conduct a Field Survey on the Orang-Utan population in Sepilok reserve.

• Conduct a Nocturnal Animal survey. 

• Conduct an Extended Orang-Utan and Nocturnal Animal Survey in areas deeper into the forest reserve.

Work will be done on a rotational basis, with different groups of volunteers working within each of the different departments outlined above. You will spend about 50% of your time working in direct hands on contact with the Orang-Utans and about 50% of your time will involve helping support the conservation efforts of the centre (e.g conducting surveys, trekking in the jungle etc). The tasks that you are asked to do, no matter how small, will help to improve the day to day life for these Orang-Utans - you will gain great satisfaction knowing that you have contributed to this. This is a serious placement where you are doing meaningful conservation work. You will be required to work very hard and should have a high level of fitness in order to take part.

At times you will be supervised by staff at the centre, at other times you will be required to work independently. 

"We worked so hard there and tried to make such a difference and have an impact on all their lives, which we obviously achieved. 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!"

Orang Utan Husbandry:
The Indoor Nursery: This area looks after the infants, from just a few months to around four years old. It consists of three outdoor cages, one for each age group. The babies stay in the sleeping area. About five staff work in the Indoor nursery.
Possible duties include;

• Transfer of the Infant Orang-Utan from the Sleeping cages to the playing cages.

• Cleaning the Sleeping area

• Preparation of food for the infants (peeling bananas, making formula milk)

• Feeding the babies bottled formula drink

• Distributing bananas to the infant Orang-Utans

• Caring for the sick infants (One Orang-Utan, Amoi, suffers from chronic depression and requires special attention)

• Transferring Orang-Utans back to the Sleeping cages

• Cleaning the Indoor nursery area

The Outdoor Nursery: This area is home to the Juveniles, generally aged between five and eight years old. During the evening the Orang-Utans spend the night in the cages, but during the daytime they are left outdoors to fend for themselves. These Orang-Utans are fed twice daily, at five different platforms. Platform one is for new graduates, whilst platforms 2-5 are for the seniors of the class. The feeding platform varies daily, at the Rangers discretion, to teach the Orang-Utan to search for its food. This ensures the Orang-Utan do not become reliant on food being at a particular platform each day. There are two members of staff in the Outdoor nursery.

Possible duties include:

• Preparation of milk

• Assisting the rangers by carrying the milk and bananas to the platform (done twice daily)

• Cleaning out the cages once every two days.

• Observation of the Juvenile Orang-Utans.

Orang-Utan Paediatric and Veterinary care:
Here you will be required to assist the veterinarian in the treatment of sick Orang-Utans. You will help assess the daily health status of any sick Orang-Utans as well as recording data on the treatments given. 

Field Survey within Sepilok Reserve:
With the assistance of a ranger, you will be required to undertake an observation of the Orang-Utan population within the 4500 Hectare reserve. You will receive a lecture on the methodology of observation and data recording prior to the commencement of the task. You will be required to count and record the number of individual Orang-Utan sightings as well as the number of nests throughout the Sepilok forest area. Similar duties will also be carried out for individual platforms where you will be required to note the number of Orang-Utans, sex ratios, and where possible, identify individual Orang-Utans from their ID number or name. This survey may also cover identification of small mammals in the reserve.

Nocturnal Animal Survey:
Volunteers will take part in a Nocturnal Animal Survey along pre-determined transects within the reserve. This survey will be supervised, and volunteers will be required to observe and collect data on nocturnal animals within the reserve through direct sightings.

Extended Orang-Utan and Nocturnal Survey:
Volunteers will also undertake an extended Orang-Utan survey (in the daylight hours) and a Nocturnal Orang-Utan survey in areas further into the Sepilok forest reserve. Rangers will conduct basic jungle survival skills.

WORK CONTENT AT RASA RIA:
The Nature Reserve at the Rasa Ria has its very own Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Programme. This is the only one of its kind on the west coast of the state of Sabah, with Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan on the East Coast of the state being the main Orang-Utan rehabilitation centre in the country. The Nature Reserve offers a tantalising glimpse into Borneo's secondary forests, enriched with environmental treasures and nature at its' best. This concept, the first of it's kind in Sabah, is definitive of the resort's commitment and contribution towards a sustainable environmental conservation amidst expansive tourism development in the state and country. It gives visitors the opportunity to learn about Orang-Utan’s and the issues affecting their survival.

The Nature Interpretation Centre is split into 4 main areas:

• Nature Co-ordinator: The Nature Co-ordinators are responsible for taking bookings, greeting guests, selling tickets and souvenirs and conducting briefings.

• Animal Curators: The Animal Curators are responsible for the care of all the animals in the reserve. 

• Field Rangers: The Field Rangers escort tourists on the numerous trails in the forest.  This is a chance for the guests to learn about the various flora and fauna in the nature reserve.

• Gardeners: The gardeners are responsible for the care and upkeep of the forest garden.

You will work within different areas, and will also have the opportunity to assist with some orang-utan enrichment activities. You will spend a total of 9 days working at the Nature Interpretation Centre within your two month stay. Transport to and from the centre will be provided from Sepilok and from your accommodation in Tauran daily.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• More information about Sepilok (plus photos)

• Click for MAP

Volunteers are required to share rooms (usually two or three to a room) and food will be provided at the rest house. The owner (Mr Chong) and his staff are very friendly and will ensure that you are made to feel at home! 

Malaysia has lovely weather all year round with lots of sunshine and you will have some time during your free days to explore the local region and visit some of the tourist attractions.

The Sepilok Rest House

Albert will give you an induction during this time, so that you can learn about the country and its culture, as well as useful information like how to use the phones, transport system etc.

During the first few days of your stay you will also receive an induction with the Sabah Wildlife Department, who run the Sepilok Orang-Utan centre. This induction will include a briefing on the project and an official welcome dinner hosted by the department.  

Our projects in Malaysia (particularly the Orang-Utan centre) are very popular and you are sure to have a wonderful time during your stay in Sabah.

Travellers' Malaysia Manager Albert and friends!

• There are a maximum of twelve places per two month expedition. 

• All volunteers must arrive in time for the Induction with Travellers Organiser (dates will be specified by Travellers). Unfortunately late arrivals cannot be accepted onto the project. 

• Please be aware that you will not be allowed to take any photos of yourself with the Orang-utans behind the scenes at Sepilok. All cameras are banned behind the scenes - the photos on this page are merely to show the type of activities that you'll be doing. 

WHO CAN APPLY?
In order to apply for a place on this project you should be able to meet the following criteria:

• Have a high level of fitness and be able to work as part of a team conducting physical work in hot and humid conditions.

• Be able to cope in a tropical environment where there are large insects, snakes, bugs and leeches. If you are squeamish about insects then this is NOT the placement for you.

• Have a genuine interest in Wildlife and the rehabilitation process and respect that Orang-Utans are an endangered species whose eventual release into the wild is the ultimate goal of the programme. 

The following are planned to take place during your placement at Sepilok, but are subject to confirmation and individual elements may change:

• An Excursion to Guamatong Cave and Sukau river including guided tour and overnight stay

• Batu Puteh excursion (overnight homestay in a rural village)

• Sandakan Tour around places of local interest.

• 2 Travellers T-Shirts to  be worn as a work uniform

• Adoption of one of the baby Orang-Utan's at Sepilok for one year, including photos and a certificate. Details of the Orang-Utan that has been adopted for you will be sent to you prior to your departure.

The nearest town to Sepilok is Sandakan where you can find internet cafes, banks, shops and markets. There are also many historical sights in Sandakan, some of which you will have the opportunity to visit during the first week of your placement. One of these is the Australian War Memorial, built in memory of those who sacrificed their lives during World War II.

Sukau and the region of the Lower Kinabatangan River is unrivalled in terms of wildlife. It stretches for 560 km and is estimated to have the highest concentration of wildlife in all of Malaysia. Taking a river cruise gives you the opportunity to see a variety of animals in their natural environment; birds, reptiles and monkeys of which the most unusual is the proboscis monkey - famous for its long nose and round belly, the proboscis monkey is sociable and active, which means that you are sure to see many of them swinging through the trees along the river bank.

If you are lucky, you many even see wild boar crossing the river. This unique environment is a fascinating place to visit and is not far away from Sandakan.

Other attractions are the Puh Jih Syh Temple, the biggest and most expensive temple in Sabah that overlooks Sandakan Bay, the Sim Sim Water Village and the Rotary Observation Pavilion which contains a birds-eye view of Sandakan town.

From the harbour area boat trips to Selingan (turtle) island and Langakayan can be arranged, although most trips are not possible in a day and instead visitors usually stay overnight.

"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. The highlight of my week was when a mum and baby came into the nursery and she took a bunch of bananas out of my hand - amazing." Karen Herring on her placement at Sepilok.