Former chain-smoking orangutan adapts to new home at Matang Wildlife Centre

Shirley the former "chain-smoking" orang utan and her three fellow primates are adapting well to their new life at the Matang Wildlife Centre in Kuching.

Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) corporate communications head Zulkifli Baba Noor said she had not shown any withdrawal symptom since quitting smoking early last month.

He said Shirley and the other three primates Ohm, Sandy and Mario were currently under observation at the Matang Wildlife Centre in Kuching to determine their rehabilitation needs.

"We will observe them for a month and note their behaviour and progress. Then, we will place them in an appropriate rehabilitation programme," he said.

Zulkifli added that it would take at least five months before the orang utan could be transferred to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a semi-wild habitat where the primates are allowed to roam freely.

"However, it is very unlikely Shirley can be released after five months as she has been so used to captivity," he said.

Zulkifli added that SFC staff would continue to assess the survival skills of the four primates before deciding if further rehabilitation was need-ed.

Shirley, estimated to be between 20 and 25 years old, had gained notoriety for being a "chain-smoking" orang utan.

Continue reading at: Former chain-smoking orangutan adapts to new home at Matang Wildlife Centre

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In two minds over language plan for orang utan in Sarawak

KUCHING: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is in two minds on renowned primatologist and conservationist Dr Francine Neago’s proposal to set up a school for apes in the state.



This is because SFC, which is responsible for managing and conserving wildlife, prefers in principle to keep wild animals in their natural habitat with minimal contact with humans.



SFC managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Len Talif Salleh said, unlike some developed countries where orang utan were kept in zoos, the state’s great apes were either in the wild or semi-wild, as in the case of those in the Semenggoh and Matang rehabilitation centres.



“Another school of thought is to have the least contact between orang utans and humans because of the risk of passing on diseases to the animals.



“But I’m not dismissing Dr Neago’s proposal outright, just that in principle we would like to keep our orang utans and other animals in the wild.



“I need to discuss such possibilities with my officers and Dr Neago is most welcome to present her proposal to us officially.



“We’ll see where we can help her,” he told The Star yesterday.



Dr Neago said she had created a computer-spelling programme that could help orang utan to acquire language skills and communicate with humans.



Her immediate need, she said, was a piece of land big enough for her to stay with a young orang utan and teach spelling to the animal.



If Dr Neago’s wish is granted, Sarawak may become a world leader in research on the orang utan and other endangered species.



Continue reading at: In two minds over language plan for orang utan in Sarawak

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Vanishing world of the orangutan

By NYL

Borneo's rainforests are home to thousands of endemic species of mammals, reptiles, and insects. Its most famous mammal is the 'old man of the forest' that is, the endangered orangutan.

Over 90 per cent of the world's orangutan live in Borneo. However, deforestation and hunting are taking such a toll that, within two decades, the orangutan is likely to vanish from the wild in the only two places it still lives - the island of Sumatra, which is part of Indonesia, and the island of Borneo.

In Sarawak, active conservation programmes include rehabilitation of orphaned and displaced orangutan at the Semenggoh and Matang Wildlife Centres.

The Matang Wildlife Centre lies on the western corner of the Kubah National Park and encompasses over 180 hectares of lowland forest. It caters for researchers from local and oversea universities, as well as students and interested adults.

In addition to orangutan, other endangered species found here include sambar deer, crocodile, sun bears, civets, bear cats and native birds of Sarawak such as hornbills, eagles, kites and storks.

Other attractions include a series of rock pools, swimming area, picnic spots, camping sites, scenic nature trails and waterfalls

During a visit to the centre, we saw five adult orangutans and two infants.

We were fortunate to get a glimpse of an adult orangutan, whom we were told, rarely made an appearance. At the age of 25 years, the Bornean orangutan is an impressive male with large cheek pads, a tremendous laryngeal sac and long hair. As we peered through the cage in awe of the red ape, it stared back at us in curiosity.

In Matang, there is an infant care unit built to provide medical care for infants.

Premature orangutan babies or those which are unable to suckle are taken to the unit and monitored round the clock. Newly arrived orangutan undergo a medical check-up before being quarantined for 90 days to undergo observation. After another check-up and evaluation, the healthy apes go through several stages of rehabilitation.

One of the stages is the enrichment level where they are introduced to the rest of the troupe in large outdoor socialising cages.

Swings and ropes are placed in cages for the orangutans to build up their strength and stamina in preparation for their return to the forest. Once they are about five to six years old, they will slowly be weaned off human care and contact, and brought back into the forest in stages.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday
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Kubah National Park - All the green wonders in one spot

By NYL

Kubah National Park, 22 kilometres from Kuching is one of the most accessible of Sarawak's National Parks and a favourite destination for day-trippers.

Named after the word kubah, which means 'dome' in Malay, the park covers the peak and slope of the dome-shaped Gunung Serapi, which is part of the Matang Ridge with two other peaks - Gunung Selang and Gunung Sendok. On a clear day, these three mountain peaks are visible from the Kuching Waterfront.

A trip to Kubah National Park is a pleasant experience as it houses one of the best collections of palms and orchids. Primarily serving as a water catchment area, the park has four main trails which vary in duration from about two to six hours and covers a diverse range of picturesque settings, including a majestic waterfall.

The easiest hike is the Gunung Serapi Trail which has a tarmac road that starts at the park headquarters leading to the mountain summit and a telecommunication tower on its peak. It passes through mixed dipterocarp forest and joins up with the other trails, giving visitors the option of continuing on into the forest, visiting the waterfall, or returning along the Gunung Serapi Road. Making it more special is the unique pitcher plant garden, an area along the trail specially landscaped with the exotic plant.

But what makes Kubah special is the richness of its palm trees. There are more than 80 palm species in Kubah and nearly a quarter of them are endemic to Borneo. Many of the palms were first described by the great Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari, who spent three years in Sarawak from 1865 to 1868, and recorded his findings and experiences in a remarkable book, "Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo". The park´s Palmetum Trail cuts through the pristine forest where you get to see palm species such as licuala and rattan pantu, pinanga, appendicula, dipodium and eria.

The trail to the waterfalls is the most challenging. It is about two kilometres long and passes through numerous plank walks over swampy areas and streams. The path is lined with buttress-rooted rainforest giants, many draped with large spiralling vines that remind us of their great age. These sometimes block the trail and need cutting before you can pass. During the rainy season, leeches are a problem. Insect repellent, leech socks and heavy clothing are the best way to ward off the troublesome creatures. Other trails include the Rayu Trail spanning 3.8km that connects the park and Matang Wildlife Centre, as well as the Salang Trail that has a viewing point from where you can get a panoramic view of the surrounding forested area.

Kubah is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bearded pigs, birds, sambar deer, mouse deer, civets, porcupines, squirrels and numerous species of reptiles and frogs. Probably one of the most rewarding experiences is an overnight stay in one of the Kubah's forest lodges where you can go night trekking to spot some of the nocturnal creatures in the park.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday
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RM470,000 facelift project for Matang Wildlife Centre

KUCHING: Upgrading project amounting to RM470,000 is in progress at Matang Wildlife Centre as part of an ongoing effort to upgrade the facilities there.

According to conservation manager Abg Abdul Mutalib Abg Tajudin, the main scopes of works for this project are upgrading of the customer service centre, which include the park shop, interpretation centre, audio visual room and meeting room, upgrading of the camping sites and picnic spots and also external works on the trails and walkways.

“Proposed scope of works under the 9th Malaysia Plan in ‘Package A’ for 2011 include the maintenance and upgrade of one unit of hornbill cage, two units of deer enclosure, one unit of mixed bird cage, one unit of stork, owl and eagle cage and also one unit of pig-tailed macaque enclosure,” he explained.

He shared this information during a product visit and briefing organised by Tourism and Heritage Ministry at the Centre here yesterday.

A total of 40 members of Sarawak Tourism Federation and representatives of various travel agencies were in attendance.

They were joined by permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik for a tour of the jungle trail there.

Mutalib also informed in the briefing that there is more to come for proposed scope of works for Package B (2012) under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: RM470,000 facelift project for Matang Wildlife Centre

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Sarawak's ‘Heart2heart with Orangutan’ conservation initiative

KUCHING: Pusaka KTS Forests Plantation Sdn Bhd (PKTS) will participate in the ‘Heart2heart with Orangutan’, a conservation initiative run by Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) in collaboration with the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB).

Held for the first time involving staff of KTS, the social conservation programme will be held at Matang Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre tomorrow.

Participants will be briefed on the ongoing conservation project, before a wildlife rehabilitation tour to familiarise them with the surroundings and conservation work.

Exposure through hands-on experience such as cage cleaning, food preparation and enrichment programme is part of the objectives to educate participants on the totally protected and endangered species.

The conservation programme, among others, aims to raise funds for orangutan conservation and rehabilitation programme, apart from extending ownership of the programme to the outside world.

It also aims to disseminate information on the conservation effort, which has been extensively carried out by the authorities in the state.

Active conservation programmes in the state include rehabilitation of orphans and displaced orangutans, apart from involving preservation and protection of their natural habitat.

PKTS had in 2009 donated RM30,000 to SFC for its ‘Orangutan Adoption Programme’ where PKTS adopted ‘Ting San’. It currently resides at the Matang Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

Born in 2005 and currently weighing around 25 kg, Ting San was brought to the centre at a very young age.

SFC created the adoption programme after realising the expensive nature of the conservation effort, which requires dedicated personnel to run the project.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sarawak's ‘Heart2heart with Orangutan’ conservation initiative
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Rare Bear Borne in Malaysia Borneo

A Sun Bear cub was born at the Matang Wildlife Center about 24 km outside of Kuching.

A very rare event in efforts to save the endangered species, Volunteer Leo Biddle stated this rivals efforts obtained only by the San Diego Zoo, a world renowned reproductive center for critically endangered wildlife.

“We had an idea she may be pregnant because she began acting strangely,” Mr. Leo continued. “Then she dug a huge burrow under the largest tree in the bear enclosure. We have had glimpses of the cub. All seems well at this point and the entire center is filled with excitement”, he continued.” The cub could possibly make an appearance in about month after gaining weight and developing fur.

The center has had three major disappointments with breeding Sun Bears. Two were still born and another was killed by a wild boar. “We have cordoned off the area and have provided top security to keep the other bears away.

The parents are mother Gani and dad Gabby, two elderly bears in the later stages of their lives. Gabby, around 25, ancient for the breed and Gani, thought to be in her late teens are doing well.

Continue reading at: Rare Bear Borne in Malaysia Borneo
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