Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2018/04/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]When we landed in Sandakan, we were whisked off to our lodge, which was right next to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The facility is contiguous with the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, so orangutans being rehabilitated, those that are completely rehabilitated and wild orangutans visit the place at mealtime (morning and afternoon). Some of these photographs are of orangutans that were rehabilitated here, and some are of wild ones that dropped in for some bananas.... Upside Down: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180410-014.jpg.html Banana: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180410-074.jpg.html Backlit: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180410-082.jpg.html Profile: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180410-047.jpg.html Suspicion: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180411-371.jpg.html Veil: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180411-350.jpg.html Hanging Out: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180411-379.jpg.html Next to Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which has been set up in 2008 due to the vision and drive of Wong Siew Te, a young and highly articulate man, who is the perfect cheerleader for this endangered bear. It is called a "Sun Bear" because of the white markings on its chest, which supposedly resemble the Sun. These two bears are being readied for reintroduction to the wild: Chest Marking: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180411-195.jpg.html Bornean Sun Bear: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180411-178.jpg.html I think it is important to pay a visit to these two centres, as you will never see Orangutans so close in the wild, and probably, unless very, very lucky, never see a Bornean Sun Bear at all! Unlike a zoo, you pretty much see them in their natural habitat within a forest reserve. Another distinctive species endemic to the island of Borneo is the Proboscis Monkey. Like all fauna here, it has been hit very badly due to deforestation due to logging and plantations. They hang out at river edges with flowing water - these are at the Kinabatangan River: Proboscis Monkey: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180412-2148.jpg.html The Crossing: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180412-3262.jpg.html Silhouette: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Sabah/wildlife/Malaysia-20180412-2168.jpg.html Please see LARGE Comments and criticism, as ever, welcome Cheers Jayanand