In Search of Great Apes

The only member of the great apes to call Asia home are the orang-utans, who's three species all inhabit jungles in Malaysia and Indonesia, mostly in Borneo and Sumatra, respectively. Perhaps it's our shared gingerdom, but I've had an affinity for these primates since I was a kid, even toting around a plush orang-utan named "Rangy." (To be clear, no one ever said I was gifted at naming my stuffed animals; there was also a tiger named "Tigie" and a dog named "Mutzy.")

The name orang-utan actually comes from the Bahasa Melayu language meaning "man of the forest." (Furthermore, the "orang asli" are the broad term for the indigenous peoples of the region, meaning "original man."). Thus, to the forest we must go in search of these beautiful creatures!

Sandakan is a modest-sized former fishing village that serves as jumping-off point for a great deal of eco-tourism in Sabah. With its valued location, the former capital of North Borneo has been at different historical points under the control of Brunei, Britain, and Japan, the latter who bombed and levelled the town before leaving the island following its occupation in WWII. Nowadays, the nearby Kinabatangan River as well as the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre are ecological draws to the area.

Watching a wild oran-utan come down from the canopy, look you in the eyes,
and carry on its way is a powerful experience.