Photo of the Day - Orangutans

Orangutans (suom. oranki) are the only species of the great apes living in South-East Asia. It's probably needless to say that the species is currently endangered. Although the species was found from many places throughout the region, most of the populations are nowadays driven to the extinction. Few populations remaining, Borneo is currently the hot spot of orangutan abundance. Population on the whole island is estimated somewhere 45 000 - 65 000 and is declining. Although populations in some conservation areas are stable or even growing.

A good example is Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC) located only 30 kilometers outside Sandakan. The centre consists of a small patch of conserved virgin rain forest where wild orangutans can live without major disturbance. In addition to wild orangutans the centre is adopting injured and orphaned animals from other not so peaceful regions in Sabah. Active feeding programme gives easy nutrition for pregnant wild orangutans.

SORC is also a major tourist attraction, where camera-necked primates can observe the men of the forest (Orang in Malay means people and utan forest) during regular every day feeding events. Tourism is a way to preserve nature, if controlled properly.