Sandakan - Sepilok - Tues 3 Feb 09

Sandakan - Sepilok - Tues 3 Feb 09

Collected on time 8.30 this morning and driven to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. My guide is Ray 32, a local Malay man recently married who speaks good English clearly and proved to be excellent. At the Centre, we walk quite a long way through the forest on a raised timber-built walkway to a viewing area. We can see man-made platforms about 10ft up several trees with ropes linking the trees. Then Ray points out an Orang Utan sitting partly behind a tree. Gradually, more appear as feeding time approaches. Higher in the trees, Long Tailed Macaques and Pig Tailed Macaques also wait and play. (They are nothing to do with the Centre, just wild monkeys making the most of a food opportunity).
Gradually, the whole area gets more crowded - there are 6 Orang Utans, 2 adult males and 2 adult females each with a baby clinging to her. About 15 Macaques are jostling for position as the 2 Rangers arrive with the food on the nearest platform to the viewing area, fruit and sugar cane. While the OUs feed, the Macaques try to steal stuff, from under the platforms with their hands appearing through the planks and over the edge of the platform, and running on and off as the Rangers try to shoo them away. The Orang Utans take no notice of the Macaques though, they just contentedly munch away with the Rangers sitting next to them. Got some good photos and (hopefully) video footage. Eventually, the OUs have had enough, and swing back on the ropes to their nests hidden away and the Macaques finish the rest of the fruit and cane. By this time, the Rangers are throwing food to the several females carrying babies. All very moving and inspiring stuff.
Next to the shop where I buy 2 very small T shirts and shorts for Leon and he or she who has yet to arrive (the latter blue top and pink shorts just about covers it I think). Then the video show - brilliant I thought so got a copy on DVD, let me know if you want to watch it. Briefly met a Chinese lady with her daughter whilst waiting for the film to start. Interestingly, the lady who sold the DVD to me is English. I asked her how she came to be here, she was a journalist who, some years ago, came to Sepilok as a tourist and was so inspired she joined the UK end of the organisation and started doing talks and presentations on the UK sponsored charity that supports the Centre. One day they asked her if she would like to help in the Centre, so now she comes here for 3 months every year and has changed her UK career to conservation work.
Anyway, back to the tour, when I booked it in Sandakan, I chose the full day for 220 rather than half day for 140 (5 = 1 pound) and this proved to be an inspired choice because lunch is included. It was excellent, coleslaw to start, chicken, greens and chips for main course, then fruit and coffee. Basic, but I really enjoyed it.
Next Ray shows me around the centre and the nearby Jungle Resort. First we see a Pied Hornbill high up in the trees making a terrible racket. I get some really good pictures with the light grey cloudy sky as background. Later we hear but do not see the Rhinoceros Hornbill, a different sound altogether. Later again, I hear another sound but when I ask Ray what this is, he tells me it is a car alarm. The Jungle Resort is definitely the place to stay if any of you are thinking of coming (rather than Sandakan which is not geared up for tourists, it is really an industrial town (oil and cars)). The Resort is fairly newly built, including accommodation, a large outdoor pool and relaxing area and brand new restaurant and spa. Come in April/May (or maybe March) though, to avoid the rainy season which we are now coming to the end of.
Now we go back to the viewing area for the 3pm feed. Same routine but it is raining so only one of the males appears, the other presumably not wanting to get his hair wet in the rain-forest. The male is called Mirico, and the 2 females Britney and Clenea. Towards the end of this session, a large Macaque suddenly appears on the walkway fence coming towards us. It walks past as if we are not there. Got some good photos. Then lots of them come up among the tourists. They can be aggressive (the Macaques) so we are told not to make eye contact or smile and show our teeth or they may attack.
Then an Orang Utan appears, also walking along the walkway. She is a pregnant female that we have not seen before. She also ignores us and goes by me only inches away as I take photos of her. Then she sits on top of a post, almost as if posing. More excellent photos and then just watch her and enjoy her company. Eventually we are shooed away by Rangers as it is time to close the Centre and leave the apes in peace.
What a great day, much helped by Ray. He is collecting me again tomorrow for the Jungle river 'cruise' and treks , a 2 day and night trip. Might be a couple of days before I can report on this.
Take care everyone,
John