Orang-Utans are endangered Malaysian wildlife. Found only here, the Orang-Utans’ survival is constantly threatened by forest fires, felling of trees and poaching.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre is located near Sandakan, in Malaysian Borneo and was set up as a means of housing injured or orphaned Orang-Utans. The aim is to care for them and nurse them back to health before they can be released into the forest.
Many Orang-Utans that end up here have strayed into logging camps or been rescued from captivity. Many are orphaned babies that cannot survive in the forest alone. When the rescued Orang-Utans first arrive at the centre, they are often in a sorry state and riddled with diseases. They are put into cages while they're treated for their ailments and nursed back to health. The wardens then teach them how to forage for fruit, climb trees and generally fend for themselves.
When they are mid-way through the rehabilitation process they are released into the surrounding forest reserve. The animals then spend most of their time in the forest but often return to one of the Centre's five feeding platforms for a “free” meal. When the wardens feel that that an Orang-Utan is fully rehabilitated, it is caught and returned to the wild - usually deep in the forest or to one of the National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries.
YOUR WORK AT SEPILOK
Your duties may vary depending on what is required at the time. During your placement it is likely that you will:
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Learn about Orang-Utan Husbandry Management by working in both the Indoor and Outdoor Nursery.
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Learn about Orang-Utan Paediatric and Veterinary Care.
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Conduct a Field Survey on the Orang-utan population in Sepilok Reserve.
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Conduct a Nocturnal Animal survey.
Work will be done on a rotational basis, with different groups of volunteers working within each of the different departments outlined above. You'll spend about 50% of your time working in direct hands-on contact with the Orang-Utans and about 50% of your time will involve helping support the conservation efforts of the centre (e.g conducting surveys, trekking in the jungle etc).
Start Dates
Every two months, please ask us for dates. This is a fixed project and runs for 8 weeks. Eight weeks may seem like a long time, but you will fall in love with this project that you may have trouble leaving when the time comes..!
Costs / Benefits
Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £2995 for eight weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, home stay, apartment or flat).
You'll also receive two free T-shirts when you'll arrive at your placement.
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.
Requirements
No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.
