Orang Utan Island, Bukit Merah

The Man of the Forest

Far away from the hectic lifestyle of the urban population of Kuala Lumpur, within the confines of the lush green forests of Malaysia walks a different kind of man. Here is the kind of man who takes his time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. He picks his food deliberately, savouring the taste of his feed, fashions his bed out of a nest of leaves, and takes long leisurely swings through the surrounding forest trees to which he considers home.

We call this man, the orang-utan, or literally, the Man of the forest. Unfortunately, despite its passive nature, the orang-utans are endangered, as classified by the IUCN, the World Conservation Union. Latest estimates from 2008 studies show that there are less than 7,000 orang-utans left in the wild, a staggering decrease from the already scarce 12,000 in 1994, their numbers in rapid decline due to the clearing of their natural habitats from human development, mining, and illegal poaching.

While most of Malaysia’s orang-utan rehabilitation efforts are focused in east Malaysia, such as the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, other initiatives are also forming in Peninsular Malaysia toward this goal. One fundamental hub that contributes to these efforts is the Orang Utan Island located in Semanggol, Perak.

Situated within the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, a resort that houses a three acre eco-park where visitors can closely interact with various other animals such as deer and snakes, as well as an eleven acre water park for the benefit of those who enjoy amusement rides, the Orang Utan Island is a research institution dedicated to the preservation and research of the orang-utan. Founded by MK Land developer’s Executive Chairman Tan Sri Haji Datuk Mustapha Kamal, it was developed to resemble the orang-utan’s natural habitat as closely as possible, its vegetation similar to the rainforests in Sumatra and Borneo. The island itself, formerly known as Pulau Panjang, has dedicated five acres of land as a research and rehabilitation centre for the endangered orang-utan.

The Orang Utan Island project is supported by the Orang Utan Island Foundation, and aims to create a development programme by coordinating and working with government and non-governmental organizations. 

One of the first things to note about the island is its specialised medical facilities that cater to the healthcare of the orang-utans, especially the infants. The facility’s ICU (Infant Care Unit) is equipped with heart monitors, IV drips, incubators, as well as a trained veterinary surgeon to cater to the orang-utan infants that may require medical assistance after birth. Possible complications that commonly occur among infant orang-utans include premature birth, a low birth weight, upper respiratory tract infections, and chronic diarrhoea. To minimise the risk of these complications, expecting orang-utan mothers are closely monitored. After birth, the health of infant orang-utans are assessed and placed in the ICU if necessary.  

Infants who are admitted to the ICU will go through a specially designed rehabilitation programme consisting of 6 stages to ensure the development of their natural instincts such as foraging, nest building, searching for water source, swinging and climbing.  The rehabilitation programme aims to ensure the infant adapts well to their natural environment before their eventual release into the wild.  

Aside from the rehabilitation of the orang-utans, the centre also acts as a research and resource centre for the study of orang-utans and is available for undergraduate and graduate students who would like to conduct their research here.  Detailed educational programmes are also organised for interested school and college students. For a more hands on approach, visitors are able to educate themselves by observing the orang-utans firsthand at the conservation centre, as they walk through a 100m steel caged tunnel that traverses the conservation site. Keen observers also take note of the ironical role reversal; on this island, humans are caged, while the orang-utans roam free.

In addition to this firsthand observation however, visitors are also given a briefing by the Public Relations Assistants on duty to further supplement their knowledge.  For more detailed information, visitors can also arrange for a talk by Dr. Sabapathy Dharmalingam, the research centre’s leading veterinary service manager, to further enhance their knowledge on orang-utans.

Indeed, the Orang Utan Island is the perfect platform for any visitor keen on finding out more about these endangered creatures, as it provides both a hands-on opportunity to observe these animals in their natural habitats, as well as a detailed academic study on orang-utans.

HOW TO GET THERE:
Interested visitors who would like to visit the Island will need to travel a little depending on where you’re coming from. From KLIA, head north towards the state of Perak, roughly about 3 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. If you’re relying on the road signs to guide you, head toward Ipoh; from there, it is a 45 minute drive further north to the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort. If you’re arriving from the Bayan Lepas International Airport in Penang, head south; it’s a 35 minute drive from the state. The Bukit Merah Laketown Resort is just off the Bukit Merah toll exit along the North-South expressway. 

Upon arrival at the resort, make your way to the Marina Village and take a 10-minute ferry boat ride to the island. Boats are available between 9am and 5pm (also the operating hours of the orang-utan island) every 30 minutes on weekends, and every 45 minutes on weekdays. Admission fees are RM20 for adults, and RM17 for children inclusive of the ferry fees. 


More information on the Orang Utan Island can be obtained by contacting +605-8908888, or visit their website at www.orangutanisland.org.my.

*The information provided is correct at the time it is referred to from the official website, but may be subject to change.


Credit : Tourism Malaysia