TravelFeedTravelFeed Logo
Those orangutans were rescued from slavery, now you can see them living in the wild

Those orangutans were rescued from slavery, now you can see them living in the wild

December 2019 · 3 min read · Kuching

Orang Utan (it means "forest people" in Malay and Indonesian languages) are no less interesting residents of Borneo than "real" people. I saw them during my hitchhiking trip in South-Eastern Asia.

Looking at them, you understand how ridiculous all creationist hypotheses are, and how true the theory of evolution is. Calling these primates "monkeys" is somehow difficult - if you look at their behavior a little.

These creatures and homo sapiens undoubtedly had common ancestors :)).

Humans were so cruel with the unlucky orangutans that it is difficult to see them in the wild. Instead, on Malaysian Borneo there are several so-called "rehabilitation centers" - primates are freed from "slavery", in which they are (illegally) held by various businessmen (who display orangutans in public in homemade "zoos"), and settle in a center where, having adapted a little, the creature has the ability to move around a large territory of the reserve. In fact, to live in the forest.

In Malaysia, there are two rehabs, in Sarawak and Sabah. Also. there is something similar in the Indonesian part of Kalimantan. The entrance is paid, and the rehabilitation center belongs to the state's national parks management.

I visited rehab Semenggoh near Kuching. You can get there with city bus or by hitchhiking - as did I.

From the main trans-Borneo highway, get to bus stop "10 miles", and from there another 2 km by walking. For the entrance to the rehabilitation center they want only $ 1 (3 ringgit), for the students (ok, anybody who owns ISIC) - half price. In other centers, according to the descriptions of the guides, they charge more expensive prices.

An adult orangutan can weigh more than 100 kg :)

Primates are not very adapted and do not know how to find food on their own. Therefore, they are fed periodically.

During the feeding, you can make a lot of pictures - after they finished with their food, it's hard to spot them in the jungle.

Orangutans are calml. But sometimes visitors (if they act like assholes) get beaten and even seriously wounded by primates.

Having accustomed to the workers of rehabilitation centers, primates take the opportunity to get a free meal - different fruits.

Former slave orangutans even have children.

Ready to Blog & Earn?

With TravelFeed, easily start your own travel blog and earn as you go. It's the smart platform for travelers who want to profit from their passion. Create a free account

Frankly speaking, it is hard to understand - where the arms and where the legs are. 4 arms and 4 legs.

The sunlight in the jungle is very scattered. It is very hard to photograph something that is too high.

Don't Forget: Get Travel Health Insurance!

To make your trip a worry-free experience, TravelFeed recommends SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. It provides comprehensive health coverage while you travel, so you can focus on exploring, not the unexpected. Get a quote here

Travel Resources for your trip to Malaysia

Recommended by TravelFeed

Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to Malaysia.

Accomodation: Explore the best places to stay in Malaysia on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.

Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.

Transportation: Use 12go and Omio to find detailed bus and train schedules, making travel planning easier.

Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.

Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!

Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.

Tickets: Save on entrance fees in Malaysia with Klook and Tiquets.

Travel Planner: Need a hand planning? Our free travel planner chatbot is your personal guide to Malaysia. Chat now.

Disclosure: Posts on TravelFeed may contain affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure.


Share this post