A Guide to Animal Sanctuaries in Sepilok, Borneo!
Borneo is the third largest island in the world. It is made up of three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
The rainforests of Borneo are filled with wonderful wildlife, including orangutans, proboscis monkeys, Bornean sun bears, hornbills and pygmy elephants. This causes tourists to flock to the area of Sepilok, where conservation sites are set up to protect and rehabilitate these animals. Continue reading to discover more about each conservation site in the area!
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Orangutans are a critically endangered but highly intelligent species that roam the rainforests of Borneo. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre supports previously captive and orphaned orangutans in the area. Orphaned orangutans are taught how to climb, swing and build nests high in the treetops. These skills, which they would usually learn from their mother over a period of six years, are essential to their survival as they move out of the centre’s nurseries and into the open reserve. The rehabilitation process can often take up to seven years.
The centre has a viewing platform where tourists can gather to watch the orangutans for daily feeding. This feeding acts as a diet supplement for recently rehabilitated orangutans. However, it is not guaranteed that you will see any, which is a positive sign that the primates are not reliant upon the feeding and can survive independently in the wild.
TOP TIP | Stay at the viewing platform around 30 minutes after feeding time to allow the crowds to thin out and get a better view of the orangutans. Some orangutans will only visit once the crowds have dispersed, so don’t miss out!
Opening hours: 9am-4pm (closed 12pm-2pm for lunch)
Feeding times: 10am and 3pm. It is recommended to arrive at least half an hour before – be warned, it can get very busy!
Cost: RM30 + RM10 camera fee OR RM1000 for cameras with over 600mm lens
For more information: Orangutan Appeal UK website
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) cares for the welfare and rehabilitation of over 40 Malayan sun bears. These Vulnerable species are threatened by habitat loss, hunting and illegal pet trade. As the world’s smallest bear, sun bears are often deemed ‘cute’ by humans. As as a consequence, the mother is killed and the baby is captured to be sold as a pet, destined to spend their life in a cage and with poor care. Likewise, the bears are also poached for their parts, which are then sold to be used in traditional Asian medicines and as ‘delicacies’.
The BSBCC has facilitated the rescue and rehabilitation of these animals since 2008. Further to this, the centre focuses on educating the public of the many threats that harm sun bears, whilst boosting their conservation efforts through ecotourism. As the BSBCC stands just opposite the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you can easily visit both sites on the same day.
Opening hours: 9am-3.30pm
Cost: RM50 (international visitors) + RM1000 for cameras with over 500mm lens
For more information: Bornean Sun Bear Centre website
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
Probably the most distinctive of all monkeys, the proboscis monkey is an Endangered species endemic to Borneo. Sadly, their survival is greatly threatened by habitat destruction and mass deforestation of the mangrove forests, so much so that Sabah named them a Totally Protected species in the region. Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is attempting to support these creatures by restoring Borneo’s ecosystem and replanting mangrove forests over abandoned oil palm plantations.
Labuk Bay also provides the monkeys with diet supplements through daily feeding sessions which tourists can observe. Make sure you have a mode of transport when visiting the sanctuary. Labuk Bay is around a 30 minute drive from Sepilok and not easily accessible to walk around when there. Popular ways to visit the sanctuary is to hire a car/moped, hire a taxi or book with a tour operator.
TOP TIP | If you are hiring a taxi, make sure you agree on a price for the driver to take you to the site, wait for you, then return you to Sepilok (you will struggle to hire a separate taxi for your return journey due to limited signal in the area).
Opening hours: 8.30am to 5.30pm
Feeding times: Platform A – 9.30am and 2.30pm. Platform B – 11.30am and 4.30pm
Cost: RM60 (international visitors) + RM10 camera fee
For more information: Labuk Bay website
Rainforest Discovery Centre
To feel like you really are in the middle of nature, visit the easily accessible Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). The centre covers around 4300 hectares of rainforest and has some great informational halls and exhibitions on rainforest conservation. The RDC also hosts many educational programmes, tours and night walks. What’s more, it is recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA), meaning you can catch some great bird watching with over 300 bird species in the reserve. Their 363m long canopy walkway is perfect for bird watching as it reaches 25m above the rainforest floor, allowing for spectacular views.
To visit when the wildlife is at its most active, arrive at either 8am or 4pm, as the animals tend to hide during the hottest hours of the day. If you are wanting more of an adventure, the centre’s night walk costs RM30 and gives you the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals such as flying squirrels. When visiting, please keep in mind that the animals you encounter are wild and some animals (such as pig-tailed macaques in our experience!) can get territorial and aggressive.
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm
Cost: RM15
For more information: RDC Sabah Tourism website
Finally…
These animal and conservation sites work incredibly hard to protect and rehabilitate Borneo’s nature. We hope that this guide to animal sanctuaries in Sepilok is helpful in building your Borneo travel itinerary. For more activities in Borneo, check out our blog on the Kinabatangan River Tour!
