OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer Feedback
Facts on Malaysian Food
My Orang Utan Experience

Rebecca Dechant / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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+. It 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. 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!!

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. 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!

Laurie Hartrey / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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 everyone at Travellers for making a life-times ambition come true.

Alex Ramsden / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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. 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.

Amy McDanell / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

This project has been worth every penny I spent, but at the same time, the experiences I have gained here cannot be bought with any amount of money, Just spending time with these amazing creatures, from the tiny 1year-olds in the clinic to seeing the 38 year-old dominant male swing by in the trees is incredible! I have enjoyed every minute and am going to miss the orang-utans, staff, fellow volunteers and the centre so incredibly much! It is nice to feel that we are actually needed at the centre and our help contributes toward the orang-utans welfare and rehabilitation. I had an absolutely fantastic time and miss the orang-utans like crazy!!!

What is the best thing about your placement so far? I enjoyed all three of the orang-utan placements during this project. Rasa Ria was brilliant because you could really get to know each of the 7 orangutans individual personalities. The clinic was just incredible...working with the tiny babies, giving them baths and then seeing just how good they are at climbing despite being pint sized orphans. Also watching the bigger babies during enrichment is fantastic as they are far more adept at climbing and some even begin to build nests and forage for food. It really shows that the rehabilitation scheme is working. Outdoor nursery was also extremely enjoyable. It is brilliant when we take the orang-utans to Platform 4 deep in the jungle and none follow us back after. It shows that they are getting used to being independent and relying less on the human care they were once so dependent on. It is also brilliant to be sitting in the jungle surround by little orange bodies swinging in the trees. And the best part is knowing they are in protected jungle, so can roam happily and safely. This experience has been the best of my life so far and I can think of many people who would enjoy it as much as I did (but maybe not more than I did...that's impossible! hehe)

What type of person do you think this placement would suit? I would recommend this project to anyone who is passionate about the conservation of orangutans. You need to be relatively fit due to the hot and humid weather, especially when you are cleaning, working in outdoor and trekking. You also need to be fine with getting dirty as cleaning quarantine can be a less than pleasant experience! You must also be someone who is willing to let the orang-utans be independent and push them away if they are too clingy. This is for their benefit as becoming too dependent on humans will inevitably be their downfall of their rehabilitation. 

Can you describe a typical day?
Clinic/Indoor Nursery - Start work at 8am. Check if any orang-utans have diarrhoea...those who do write their names on the whiteboard. Prepared their morning milk. Those with diarrhoea have electrolyte instead. Then prepare the food, usually banana for everyone, but apple/orange/bread for those with diarrhoea. Feed all the orang-utans, then give them their drinks afterwards. Take the big ones to the outdoor cage, except for those who are going to enrichment that day. Clean quarantine and the indoor nursery by sweeping away the food and poo. Then hose it down, dettol it and hose it down again. Put the babies into the outdoor cage and then give a couple of them a bath. Take the big babies out for enrichment where they can explore and climb. Give all orang-utans a snack and water if its especially hot. After lunch prepare milk for the little babies and electrolyte for the big ones. Clean quarantine and indoor nursery again and then take the little babies out for enrichment. Bring all orang-utans in, clean outdoor cages and give all orang-utans their goodnight feed  Day over around 4:30!

Outdoor Nursery - slightly less predictable. Start at 8:15. But usually start by taking orang-utans to platform to feed them. Then go and sweep Platform A (the visitors viewing platform). Then come back and clean outdoor nursery area. In afternoon take all orang-utans to platform 4 and feed them there. Leave them there overnight so they can learn to live in the jungle on their own. Finish anytime between 4 and 5.

Nature Interpretation Centre (Rasa Ria) - Start at 7:30. Prepare food for domestic animals and feed them. Clean inside the pantry and around the pantry and clinic. Prepare food for orang-utans. Feed them and clean out night cages with water and dettol. Then prepare food for enrichment. Take 3 orang-utans into enrichment pit for about 1.5 hours. The remaining orang-utans will be taken to the feeding platform. In the afternoon the same routine would be followed, minus enrichment for the orang-utans and cleaning the day cage instead. You also need to note down which orang-utans were taken into enrichment, how they climbed and how they did with that days enrichment activity. At the end of the day you need to count the number of domestic animals to check they are all there. Day ends at 4.00pm.

Katie Walley / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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. 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.

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!!!

Sarah Batty / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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!!

Melissa Wardrop-Pearson / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / Australian

I can't 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.

Kerrie Bayliss / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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. 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. 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 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!

Sophie Winter / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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.

Robyn Howes / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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!

Karen Herring / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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. Living in a different culture, sampling the local cuisine and 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. 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.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

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. 

Fiona McBain / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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. 

Sarah Gregory / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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.

Susan Lee / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / British

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!!!

Carli Williams / Orang-Utan Project - Malaysia / Australian

Hey! I’m in love. My heart is beating like a jun-gle drum... Like nervous but excited kids on their first day of school, Sophie, Lucy and I slipped on our wellies, bid farewell to the other volunteers and made our way to the Sepilok Rehab Centre (2 minute walk from the Resthouse where we live) for the first of our nine days of ‘work’ in the Clinic. After a brief induction from Ibrie, one of the Centre’s nurses, we attempt to feed the little ginger bundles of fun their breakfast (bananas and milk). This is a challenge in itself. It is like running the gauntlet through the night sleeping area as there are hands/feet grabbing at us from every direction. They cheeky things act all innocent while you are feeding them and look at you with their big brown eyes but all of a sudden a hand from above, below or from the side quickly grabs the milk, your shirt, or anything they can and before you know it you are having a tug of war with an Orang-Utan. Twice now I have had big chunks of hair ripped from my head and my knuckles have bite marks from one certain little feisty fella. There is squawking, squeaking and snorting noises coming from every direction. It really is a site to see.

One by one we move the bigger Orang-Utans to their day play areas. The wee babies (each about one year old and about 30cm long) stay and swing in their hammocks. I cannot stop looking at the three babies, they are just so adorable. They cry out for cuddles all the time and just want to be loved. I am the right person for this job but it is not encouraged too often.

As you know, with animals comes poo, wee and vomit. I am now used to the joyous task of cleaning the night sleeping areas and outdoor play areas but I may have dry wretched just a little on the first day when hosing down some vomit. We have mastered this task and think nothing of it now.

Every day at 10.00am we select three older Orang-Utans to take out to the jungle play area by the lake. Each Orang-Utan has its own personality and they all interact with each other in different ways so we normally take out one naughty Orang-Utan and two ‘well behaved’ Orang-Utans. They are supposed to climb on the ropes and trees, practice building nests in the trees (Orang-Utans build a new nest every night to sleep in from tree branches), play and explore. Some Orang-Utans do this, some sit on the ground which is not encouraged as they are in danger of snake bites etc, some just want to wrestle each other (and us), some climb so high and don’t come back down when they are supposed to so we have to try and coax them down with bribes but this does not always work and some are perfect angels.

In the afternoon we take the three toddlers out to play in the small climbing area. My adopted Orang-Utan, Sen, looks like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, well, he is a menace. Half of the bruises and scratches I have on my body are from Sen. He is very active but loves to bite. The younger they are, the sharper the teeth. He knows how to play us but he behaves for the nurses and rangers.

Each Orang-Utan has their own story, some were kept as pets, some were rescued from the palm oil plantations, some are orphans, some are released into the wild but keep coming back to the Centre. I love their individuality, the way they look at you and their similarity to humans is amazing. I often wonder what is going through their minds. They mimic what you do and they are so intelligent. We try to keep their minds and bodies active by giving them coconuts, iceblocks, toys, branches etc with the hope that one day they can amuse themselves out in the jungle

We were very quickly given responsibility for looking after the orang-utans and we were expected to get on with the job. I thoroughly enjoyed the responsibility and think it's great that the team at Sepilok trust us to do the work - they are always on hand to help but it teaches you responsibility. The placement teaches you a lot about yourself and your ability to mix with others and adapt to different environments. It's a fantastic experience to see life within a different culture and to feel so welcomed. People going on this placement need to be open to change and able to act appropriately when maybe something is not as they expect.

What is the best thing about your placement? Too much to mention!  The orang-utans obviously have to be top of the list!  It's just so fantastic to be that close to them and to interact with them. I truly hadn't imagined they could be so affectionate, despite all the stories I'd heard and it's an amazing experience to feel you're giving them some of the attention they desperately crave and deserve. I also loved all the people who are looked after us - the staff at Sepilok, Rasa Ria and at the rest house are all very friendly and welcoming.  The rest house itself was far more advanced than I had expected it would be and the food is fantastic! (I miss the food so much!). I also love how laid back and friendly the people of Malaysia are.  It really helps you to relax into the placement - they make you feel like you belong. And also it's such a fascinating and beautiful country. Overall I have to admit it was just fantastic to be away from my desk and doing something that felt so much more worthwhile. It was great to wake up and want to go to work! It also helped living in beautiful sunshine of course!

Would you recommend this placement to anyone else? I'd definitely recommend this placement to anyone who loves animals and are happy to get their hands dirty!  It helps to have a reasonable level of fitness to cope with the heat, cleaning, carrying, trekking etc but you don't need to be super fit. You also have to be open and ready to adapt to new people and situations. If you find it difficult to make friends, like your own way of doing things or don't have any tolerance you shouldn't go. When living in such a close environment it can be difficult and people unwilling to adapt could easily make the living together aspect of the placement unpleasant.

What type of person do you think this placement would suit? Animal/orang-utan lovers who are happy to work hard, get dirty and smelly, (don't mind dealing with excrement!) and can adapt to a different way of life. The care and welfare of the animals has to be the main priority.  It is hard work at times so they must be prepared for this. They need to realise it's not a holiday and we are there to work and support the team and treat it like a job. They must have the animal’s best interests at heart and be aware that if they are feeling poorly they won't be able to work with the orang-utans. They should appreciate different cultures, be open to new experiences. Also, it's important they can deal with heat - it can be very hot and you can't wear sun lotion while working with the orang-utans.  Some girls in our group were very pale and worried about burning but were told it's just not possible to wear sun cream as it's poisoness to the orang-utans. Also, you wear wellies on all working days - wearing wellies in humidity means you're always sweaty and hot!

Can you describe a typical day? Days do vary depending on the section you are working on but generally you get up and have breakfast around 7.30am and either start work at 8am or 8.30am. Lunch is whenever you've finished your morning duties but is generally from around 12.30 - 1.30 or 2pm. It does depend our the section you're working on. Most days start between 8 and 8.30am with lunch around 12-2pm but again this depends on workload - you have to finish duties before going for lunch, and finishing your day around 4-4.30pm

After breakfast at the rest house if working in clinic you spend the morning providing the orang-utans with breakfast - milk and fruit, then clean the living areas by sweeping and washing the floors.  You then bathed a couple of babies before taking orang-utans out for play - depending on their size they will either spend time playing in the jungle gym or in the tree play section.  It's a fantastic opportunity to watch them developing the skills they need to live wild again. The afternoon is pretty much a repetition of the morning with more cleaning, and preparation of food and drinks for afternoon snacks, cleaning the outdoor play areas and taking some orang-utans out to play.

The Outdoor section involves taking up a very large bunch of bananas to the outdoor area and fighting to get them there without having them pinched by hungry orang-utans! Firstly we would do a head count - trying to spot all the orang-utans and marking them off on a sheet. We would then take the bananas out to a feeding platform in the jungle encouraging the orang-utans to follow us for their breakfast. We would then return to the Outdoor area and clean the night quarters before making out way to the viewing platform for the first of the days feeds. We would stand amongst the tourists answering questions and ensuring they remain quiet and also that they stay away from any adventurous orang-utans who occasionally make their way onto the viewing platform! After lunch we would again take bananas up to the Outdoor area and again take out positions on the viewing platform for the afternoon feed.  Later in the afternoon we would help gather the younger orang-utans into the night quarters.

Trekking involved meeting at around 8.30am and going into the jungle with a member of the Sepilok team to look for orang-utan nests and wild orang-utans. We would update a sheet with info on any nests we spotted, noting the type of tree, height of the nest in the tree and how old it appeared to be. We also did a small mammal survey where we set traps along a certain trail and then each day would check the traps and mark down all findings, including the weight and sex of what ever we caught and then release animal back to the wild.

When working at the Rasa Ria you do start a little earlier as you are collected from the flat at around 7am. This section of the placement allows you to have more independence as you are living with just your team mates in a flat therefore arranging your own breakfast and evening meals, (you are given a subsidy for this) and it's great mixing with the locals and shopping on the market. The working hours are 7.30am to around 4-4.30pm with an hour and half for lunch. Lunch is provided at the hotel in the very nice staff canteen - so wish we had a canteen like this where I work!

Your working duties during the day are to prepare and give out food for the domestic animals who live in the nature reserve at the hotel.  We also sweep the area and clean out the water bowls. Next we'd  prepare food and drink for the orang-utans before heading up to the enclosure where the hungry orang-utans are waiting for you. Once breakfast is finished we'd set about cleaning the night quarters and then take some of the orang-utans into the play area where you would spend an hour or so watching them play. After lunch is a repeat of preparing food and drink for both domestic animals and the orang-utans but if the weather is suitable we would also give a couple of the orang-utans a bath! Always good fun to see their reactions to the water - just like children playing!!

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