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Wildlife in Malaysia
Malaysia has its fair share of environmental problems.
Excessive logging has been a major problem for many years;
various plantations have appropriated large sections of the
natural environment to the detriment of wildlife, and Indonesian
fires have caused air pollution levels to rise considerably
in its neighbouring country. Yet, a growing recognition of
Malaysia's lush, ancient rainforest and hugely diverse flora
and fauna as valuable national resources have led to the formation
of many eco-friendly projects involving locals, government,
business and tourists.
A number of national parks now exist in Malaysia, perhaps
the most famous of which is the Taman Negara National Park
on Peninsular Malaysia. Famed for its glorious, pristine rainforest,
Taman Negara is, however, not the best place in the country
to view wildlife in its natural habitat. Sightings of elephants,
rhinos, tigers and so on do occur but tend to be few and far
between in comparison to areas in Sarawak and Sabah that are
more remote but teeming with tropical wildlife.
Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre
Fifteen miles from Sandakan, the Orang-Utan Rehabilitation
Centre was established in 1964 to return injured or orphaned
apes back to the wild. Today it is one of the best places
in the world to see the legendary 'wild man of Borneo' and
support a project that is helping to prevent the extinction
of these fascinating, gentle creatures.
Rescuing the 'jungle men'
The Malay term orang utan means 'man of the forest',
and these huge, copper-coloured primates are one of man's
closest, most remarkable cousins. Shy and solitary by nature,
they are also one of the region's most threatened species,
thanks to logging, hunting and forest fires.
Rescued orang-utans usually need to be nursed back to health
at the centre, before trained wardens teach them how to climb
trees, find food and fend for themselves in the wild. They
are then released into the surrounding forest reserve area,
returning to the centre's feeding platforms for supplementary
food until the centre feels they have been fully rehabilitated
and can be returned to the wild, deep in the forest or to
one of the country's national parks.
Visiting the centre
Trips to the Rehabilitation Centre can again be arranged at
Sandakan. The best times to visit are around 10am or
2.30pm, when rangers lead visitors to one of the feeding platforms
to witness the absorbing sight of the large primates feasting
on milk and bananas, playing games with each other and gazing
solemnly at their human counterparts with intelligent, mesmerising
eyes.
Sightings vary in number, but it is very rare to leave the
centre without seeing any primates. An interesting and educational
documentary on the orang-utans is shown in the centre after
each feeding time, while those wishing to investigate further
can follow the Mangrove Forest Trail through the forest
for a fascinating two to three hour ramble (one way).
If you feel inspired to take on a greater role in the conservation
of the species, it is possible to take part in the project
as a volunteer for a two-month period. You'll learn all about
orang-utans, the ins and outs of conservation work and take
part in a variety of hands-on duties, from feeding baby primates
to constructing feeding platforms.
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