We bet we know what you are all thinking, but no, this is not a sanctuary for junkie or alcohol-abusing monkeys. Instead, Sepilok is one of only four Orang Utan reserves in the world. Orang Utans are kept here that are either sick and/or injured and then nursed back to good health. They are then released back in the wild. Furthermore, wild orang utans get fed twice a day in the giant reserve. Keep in mind that there is no fence, and the orang utans sometimes leave the reserve grounds for months. But when they are there, they can enjoy some milk and bananas twice a day before a big tourist crowd (which kind of threw us of at first, until we saw the orang utans).
The big guy... showing off his "gear"
The orang utan is 97% related to humans, and it shows very much in their way of communicating. We were even lucky enough to see the big guy wandering about and chewing down some bananas. As with the big nose of the proboscis monkeys, the dominant male orang utan has big cheeks which attracts the ladies and signals his dominance. This has something to do with the fact that some male orang utans produce more of a certain hormone and therefore grow the big cheeks.
Off course, the little guys are also endearing. They frolic around and swing about with such ease and grace which makes us humans look clumsy and stiff. We were really pleased to hear that the orang utans could leave whenever they pleased and that they were taken such good care of them. So despite the huge tourist masses, we do recommend this place if you're ever in Malaysian Borneo. Another great experience to add to our list(s). Next stop: the beach before heading out to Thailand.
We bet we know what you are all thinking, but no, this is not a sanctuary for junkie or alcohol-abusing monkeys. Instead, Sepilok is one of only four Orang Utan reserves in the world. Orang Utans are kept here that are either sick and/or injured and then nursed back to good health. They are then released back in the wild. Furthermore, wild orang utans get fed twice a day in the giant reserve. Keep in mind that there is no fence, and the orang utans sometimes leave the reserve grounds for months. But when they are there, they can enjoy some milk and bananas twice a day before a big tourist crowd (which kind of threw us of at first, until we saw the orang utans). 
The big guy... showing off his "gear"
The orang utan is 97% related to humans, and it shows very much in their way of communicating. We were even lucky enough to see the big guy wandering about and chewing down some bananas. As with the big nose of the proboscis monkeys, the dominant male orang utan has big cheeks which attracts the ladies and signals his dominance. This has something to do with the fact that some male orang utans produce more of a certain hormone and therefore grow the big cheeks. 
Off course, the little guys are also endearing. They frolic around and swing about with such ease and grace which makes us humans look clumsy and stiff. We were really pleased to hear that the orang utans could leave whenever they pleased and that they were taken such good care of them. So despite the huge tourist masses, we do recommend this place if you're ever in Malaysian Borneo. Another great experience to add to our list(s). Next stop: the beach before heading out to Thailand. 
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