Friday, August 22, 2008

Watching orang utan in their natural habitat is awe inspiring


KEEN on a closer look at orang utan in their natural habitat? While an initial encounter may scare some, the amusing antics of the orang utan, however, is bound to awe spectators.

Recently, a group of journalists accompanying Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said at the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sepilok, Sabah, had a close look at orang utan in the open.

The centre located in 4,294ha of jungle was opened in 1964. It acts as a sanctuary for more than 300 orang utan.

According to the centre’s guide, Mark Louis Benedict, studies done by Sabah Wildlife Department and several non-govermental organisations in 2004 showed there were 13,000 orang utan in Sabah.

Because the orang utan habitat is threatened by logging, the centre plays a big role in ensuring this ape’s survival.

The orang utan are rehabilitated and their habitat protected.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Laurentius Ambu said the centre rehabilitated orang utan kept as pets and returned them to the wild when they were ready.

Continue reading (incl. pics) at: Watching orang utan in their natural habitat is awe inspiring

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