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GYC2086 - Orang-Utan conservation in Malaysia Country: Malaysia Cost: £2845.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 2 months Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7585 or

 

	This placement would suit... Adventurous volunteers who want a profound insight into conservation. The Orang-Utan is one of the most endangered of Malaysian wildlife species. Found only in Borneo and Sumatra, the Orang-Utans’ survival is constantly threatened by forest fires, felling of trees, poaching and illegal hunting. The Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre is located near Sandakan, in Malaysian Borneo. This centre was set up as a means of housing injured or orphaned Orang-Utans, caring for them and nursing 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 centers 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 duties may vary depending on what is required at the time. During your placement it is likely that you will: -Learn about Orang-Utan Husbandry Management by working in both the Indoor and Outdoor Nursery. -Learn about Orang-Utan Paediatric and Veterinary Care. -Conduct a Field Survey on the population in Sepilok reserve. -Conduct a Nocturnal Animal survey. -Conduct an Extended Orang-Utan and Nocturnal Animal Survey in areas deeper into the forest reserve (will involve a two night stay in the jungle). Work will be done on a rotational basis, with different groups of volunteers working within each of the different departments outlined above. You will 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). You may be based in two locations during your stay, depending on the time of your placement. The flamboyance of Malaysia is breathtaking - this is a country where the sun shines, the sea is crystal clear and there are endless coconut, banana and palm trees! Our users say... "For me, the relationships we developed with the orang utans made each day a special one - whether it was giving Anne a bath; watching Rosalinda sleeping in her hammock; giving Joey a cuddle; trying to stop Amoi from running underneath the buildings; taking the babies out on the ropes; watching those orang utans who have already been rehabilitated swinging in the trees; or hundreds of other experiences we had each day that made us realise how lucky we were to be there." - Michelle Hatfield Travellers’ placements are very flexible and can be combined with any other Travellers placement and tailor made to your requirements! 0845 344 7585 Travellers Worldwide: Live and work abroad helping children, adults, animals and entire communities in less advantaged countries. Learn about their culture from the inside! Stay from as little as two weeks to as long as one year - you choose your dates and duration!