Today we went to two local attractions. One was a crocodile farm, the other an orangutan sanctuary. And while both house “exotic” animals, they couldn’t be more different. The crocodile farm keeps the crocks in squalid tiny enclosures which are full of bottles and cans that the many locals visiting on holiday had carelessly discarded.

The Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary we visited was the opposite: it comprises nearly 43km2 of virgin rain forest and has over 250 wild orangutans as well as 10 other species of primates and over 200 species of birds. They take in baby orangutans that have become orphaned, and help them grow and re-integrate with their wild counterparts.

 

Orangutans have 96.4% of the same genes as humans. They know how to use tools, they live in communities, and they are highly intelligent! But like so many other species, they are in danger. Their habitat is being destroyed by logging and palm-oil plantations, and they are victims to poaching! Today there are only around 15,000 of these wonderful animals left, and some experts have said that if nothing is done they could be extinct within the next 30-50 10-20 years.

There is a ray of hope though, and today we visited a sanctuary that provides it. They have a very interesting program whereby people can help out by adopting a baby orangutan. It only costs only around US$50 per year and your contribution will help save the species from extinction! We are most definitely going to adopt one! And if you want to help by doing so, you can find out how at: www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk

Here’s a nice little picture of a family of macaques that went to finish off the orangutan’s meal once they had all left. Could you spot the baby clinging on under the middle monkey?

Please send this on to everyone you know! They need your help! You can forward this post by clicking on the email post link below.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, October 14th, 2007 at 10:40 pm and is filed under Front Page, Interesting, Borneo. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.