DISCUSSION

1.0 ROLE OF ORANG UTAN REHABILITATION CENTRE TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF THE SPECIES

2.1 Rehabilitation

As more and more rainforest disappears, orang-utans are coming into frequent contact with humans. As a result more of them are being captured. It is absolutely vital that orang-utans be returned to the wild where they can breed and propagate the species. Orang-utans are on the brink of extinction, so each individual’s genetic blueprint is critical for the future survival of the species. It is absolutely crucial, therefore, that orang-utans have a chance to live wild in the forest, where they can continue to have babies and thereby ensure their survival as a species. At orang-utan rehabilitation centres in Borneo, captured orang-utans are gently helped to prepare for life in the wild.

The captured orang-utans come through many channels. Some are confiscated from their owners or in customs when they are being smuggled out of Indonesia. Some are rescued from palm oil plantations where they have ended up as a last resort, starving because their food sources have literally disappeared. Some are actually kept by plantation workers as ‘mascots’ and pets. Preparing for life in the wild can be a long process. Baby orang-utans normally live with their mother for the first six to seven years of their life until they are strong enough to cope on their own. It takes years to teach the little ones the skills they need to become independent, wild orang-utans. But it is a task gladly undertake. They are brought to the centres where veterinarians examine them for diseases in order to prepare them for a new life in the rainforest.

2.2 The Adults Are Shot And The Babies Are Captured

When the rainforest is cut down or burned, orang-utans and other animals living there are forced to flee to new areas. Many times the orang-utans have no other option but to enter into areas used by human such as plantations in order to find food. Unfortunately these encounters often end up with the adults being shot and eaten and the babies being captured.

The orang-utan is threatened species and therefore worth a lot of money on the black market. The little ones, with such human-like behaviours and requiring a great need for comfort, become popular entertainment. In Asia there is a big market for orang-utans babies. In both Indonesia and Malaysia there is great prestige to be able to afford to have a captured wild animal in your home. It is particularly shocking that many of the people who keep orang-utans as pets are the very people who should be enforcing the law.

Customs around the world are in constant pursuit of people smuggling baby orang-utans, but few criminals are caught. The orang-utans are often smuggled with the large freighters loaded with the very timber that was once their home. Many of them die during the journey and the ones that do survive are in for a lot of difficulties. The new owners are often completely ignorant of the most basic needs of an orang-utan. They are fed the wrong food and often get too much of too little. Illnesses, stress and depression are typical of captive orang-utans.

It is also common that are orang-utans are held captive outdoors in small wooden cages or chained to poles where they are exposed the wind, rain or too much sun. in such conditions, most baby orang-utans simply do not survive.

2.3 Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

Because it is habitat has been threatened by logging activities, the centre plays a big role in ensuring the survival of this ape species. Here the orang-utan is not only rehabilitated but the habitat is protected as well. Sabah Wildlife Department’s Director Laurentius Ambu explained that the centre also rehabilitates orang-utan kept as pets and returns them to be wild when they are read. The centre also works to rescue orphaned baby orang-utans and nurtures them until they are ready to be released to the wild. As the centre is located on the fingers of Kabili, Sepilok forest reserve, about 25 km from Sandakan, visitors have the opportunity to view the rich flora that include flowering plants, dipterocarp trees and wild fruits. The jungle is also the habitat for 217 bird species, 70 mammal species and not less than 400 tree species. Visitors too can spot other protected animals like bats, monkeys, bears, wild cats and crocodiles that live in the reserve.

2.4 Various types Orang Utan In Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre 2.5.1 Britt
Britt is easy to spot as she has an obvious, permanent swelling around her right eye. There are many stories of how this happened, from an accident with a stick to a splitting cobra. Unfortunately this gives Britt a slightly manic look. Her hair is light in colour and relatively short for a female.

2.5.2 Mariko
Mariko is the daughter of a rehabilitated orang-utan. She looks as if she has a constant smile on her wide eyes make her seem very friendly and calm. She has exceptionally long hair and it is very light in colour. She is currently carrying a child and is due to give birth some time in 2007.

2.5.3 Mimi
The most obvious thing about Mimi is that she is constantly carrying her baby Rony. She is a very large female with long dark hair.

2.5.4 Clenan
Clenan was born in the wild to a rehabilitated orang-utan and so much in extremely independent. She has long, light auburn hair and is quite large in size.

2.5.5 Eyos
Eyos has a lot of long, dark hair both on her body and her head. Her head hair forms a crown and usually parts in the middle, making her look like she has horns.

2.5.6 Miskam
Miskam is the dominant male so he is quite large. He has small eyes, thick red hair, a middle parting and a very distinctive jaw-line. He has long features and extremely long limbs.

2.5.7 Rony
Rony is instantly recognizable as he is the child of Mimi and will be dinging to her most of the time. He is often difficult to spot beneath the hair but would not be far away.

2.5.8 Naru
Naru is a beautiful young orang-utan with very long eyelash, long and light red hair.

2.5.9 Rosa
Rosa is quite smile and slender for her age, though she is very confident and strong. She has bright orange hair that is surprisingly sparse for a female. 2.5.10 Kam chung
Kamchong is a large male with a very dark hair all over his body, but short hair on his back. He is the shortest and shortest of the largest males. The hair on his head is brushed forward and he has a very slight centre parting making him easier to spot.