Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre | Kota Kinabalu

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a world-renowned conservation facility located in the Sepilok Forest Reserve, near Sandakan in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Established in 1964, the center's primary goal is to rehabilitate and release orangutans that have been orphaned, rescued from captivity, or displaced due to habitat destruction. It is one of the most important and successful orangutan rehabilitation programs in the world, and it also serves as an educational and research center for the protection of orangutans and their rainforest habitat.

Overview

• Location: The center is situated within the Sepilok Forest Reserve, which is approximately 25 kilometers from Sandakan. It is easily accessible by car or taxi from the city.
• Mission: The center's mission is to help rehabilitate orphaned and displaced orangutans, educate the public about the species, and contribute to their conservation efforts in the wild.

Key Highlights

Orangutan Rehabilitation Program:

• The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre focuses on rehabilitating orangutans that have been rescued from illegal pet trade, deforestation, or captivity. The goal is to help these orangutans regain their natural survival skills and eventually release them back into the wild.
• The rehabilitation process includes:
  • Feeding programs: Orangutans are given supplemental food to help them adjust to life in the wild. This typically takes place twice a day at the center’s feeding platforms.
  • Forest integration: Young orangutans are taught to forage, climb, and live in the forest, gradually being prepared for life in the wild.
  • Socialization: Orangutans learn to interact with other orangutans, which is crucial for their emotional and social development.

Feeding Sessions:

• One of the main attractions of the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is the daily feeding sessions, where visitors can witness the orangutans feeding on fruits and other treats provided by the staff. These sessions are held at feeding platforms within the center’s forested area.
• The feeding sessions are typically held twice a day: in the morning and in the afternoon. Visitors can observe the orangutans from an elevated viewing platform while they come down from the treetops to eat.
• The feeding sessions provide an opportunity to see the orangutans up close in their natural environment, though they are not guaranteed to show up, as they are free to roam and explore the forest.

Orangutan Viewing:

• The center offers elevated viewing platforms where visitors can observe the orangutans in their natural habitat. These platforms allow guests to have a close-up experience while ensuring that the orangutans are not disturbed.
• Visitors may also see orangutans playing, foraging, and climbing in the trees as they become more acclimated to life in the wild.

Nursery and Infant Care:

• A key aspect of the rehabilitation program is caring for young orangutans and helping them regain the skills necessary to survive in the wild. The center runs a nursery where orphaned infants are cared for and trained by the dedicated staff before they are gradually introduced to other orangutans in the rehabilitation process.
• These infants are often hand-reared and taught basic survival skills, including how to forage for food and how to navigate the treetops.

Conservation and Research:

• The center also serves as a research and conservation hub. It conducts studies on orangutan behavior, their health, and their habitat needs, which help guide the rehabilitation process.
• The center works closely with other conservation organizations and local authorities to combat illegal hunting and deforestation and to promote awareness about the importance of orangutan conservation.

Bornean Sun Bears:

• The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is also home to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which is located next door. The Bornean sun bear, the smallest species of bear in the world, is also endangered, and the center helps rehabilitate and care for these bears as well.
• Visitors to the center can see these bears in a specially designed enclosure and learn about their rehabilitation process.

Visitor Experience:

• The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a visitor-friendly facility that aims to educate the public about orangutans and the challenges they face in the wild. The center has a visitor center with informative exhibits, educational displays, and a gift shop selling orangutan-related merchandise, where proceeds go toward supporting the center’s conservation work.
• A boardwalk runs through the rainforest, offering a peaceful walk through the jungle with the chance to spot other wildlife, including monkeys, birds, and insects.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• The center occasionally offers volunteer opportunities for individuals who want to get more involved in orangutan rehabilitation. Volunteers assist in various activities, including working with the orangutans, helping with educational programs, or participating in conservation research.

How to Get There

• By car: The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is about a 30-minute drive from Sandakan. It is accessible by taxi or rented car. The center is well-signposted and easy to find.
• By public transport: There are buses and minibuses available from Sandakan to the Sepilok area. However, taxis or private tours are more convenient for tourists.
• By tour: Many travelers opt for guided tours from Sandakan, which typically include visits to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Centre, and other nearby attractions like the Rainforest Discovery Centre.

Best Time to Visit

• The best time to visit is during the dry season, which typically lasts from March to October. During this period, the weather is more predictable, and the orangutans are more likely to be active. However, the center is open year-round, and you can visit at any time.
• Morning feeding sessions (around 10:00 AM) tend to have the most orangutans, as it is a cooler time of day, but the afternoon sessions (around 3:00 PM) are also a good time to see the orangutans.

Entrance Fees

• Adults: Approximately RM 30-50 (Malaysian Ringgit).
• Children: RM 15-20.
• There are additional fees for the Bornean Sun Bear Centre and guided tours, if desired. It’s best to check the latest fees on the official website or inquire at the center upon arrival.

Conclusion

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a must-visit for animal lovers and anyone interested in wildlife conservation. It provides an up-close experience with the Bornean orangutans, and it plays an essential role in the rehabilitation of this critically endangered species. Through its efforts, the center helps protect orangutans and raises awareness about the importance of preserving the rainforests of Borneo, which are their natural habitat. A visit here is not only educational but also a chance to support conservation efforts that will benefit orangutans for generations to come.