the Orangutan rehab center in Sepilok
Opened in
1964, the centre provides the youngsters twice a day with food, medical care and training how to survive in the forest.
When ready the primates are released in the wild.
Each morning at 10 AM sharp, a tasty breakfast of milk and bananas is offered
to the 60 to 80 young orangutans that roam free in the 40 km2 large reserve.
Tourists are welcome to witness the breakfast party
from a distance, of course only after paying the entrance fee.
Since 2014 tourist can also visit the nursery area where
new arrivals learn the basic survival lessons and get to play with each other.
We were there in August 2004 and saw eight
young Orangutans show up for the food. They arrived via ropes that lead to the feeding platform.
But the event soon
became an interspecies foodfest when a
Macaque family showed up and chased the young orangutans away.
this one has grabbed two bananas
having four limbs can be a bit confusing at times
they arrive by rope
soon the first Orangutans arrive. They must be hungry
a guide leads us into the dense forest to the feeding platform
excuse me, could I have a banana to?
but then pa&ma Macaque show up with the kids. They are hungry and not afraid of Orangutans
others come in with a display of force
we arrive at the center
where butterflies feed on the flowers
some walk upside down
the first have arrived at the feeding platform
you see that down there?
breakfast never tasted better