Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center is
located approximately 25 km from the town of Sandakan located on the East Coast of the
Malaysian State of Sabah at the Northern part of Borneo. At the center,captive orang
utan a.k.a the Wild Man of Borneo are being rehabilitated to be reintroduce
to the wild. The center was set up in 1964 primarily to rehabilitate confiscated Orang
Utans, with the rehabilitation programme of the only represantative of the great apes
outside africa and because of this the center is world famous. At this center, visitors
can observe the antics of man's closest animal relative and visitors will have the
opportunity to observe the feeding of the Orang Utans. The center also offers visitors a
nature trails for nature lovers to walk amongst the flora and fauna of the tropical
lowland jungle of Borneo. There is also a Nature Education Center
where visitors can view the displays and exhibits or perhaps watch a video show on the
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. This is a must place to visit for visitors to
Borneo .
Sabah's Sukau is a good bet, by any standard.
The riverine destination is just a couple of hours southeast of modern Sandakan, not far
from the Sepilok Orang Utan Centre. Ten species of monkeys
and apes are found in a relatively small area, rated the highest
concentration of primates in the whole of Borneo. Besides that, the area has a plethora of
animals like the Clouded Leopard, Asian Elephant, Crocodiles, Civet Cats, Otters and, all
eight species of Hornbills found in Borneo, Egrets, magnificient Kingfishers, Storks,
Hawks and the incredible Oriental darter which dive into rivers and lakes to pursue fish!
But the most amazing spectacle is the bizzare, three footer,
pot-bellied male Proboscis Monkey found nowhere else in the
world except Borneo. No fossils had ever been dug up outside Borneo, a point
which mystifies scientist. Its trademark is its overwhelming, pendulous nose
which droops well over its mouth. They are also great divers.
Visitors have seen them diving 60 feet into rivers and since
they are strangely web-footed, they can swim strongly across rivers!