Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah

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About Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is a sanctuary for orangutans (Pongo borneo) in Sabah. It is located about 25 kilometers to the west of Sandakan, on the eastern side of the state. The centre is within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, which covers an area of 5529 hectares.

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre was established in 1964. Its main purpose was to rehabilitate orphaned orangutans whose habitat was disrupted by logging, deforestation and poaching. Included are orangutans that were rescued or confiscated from unlicensed owners. The orangutans are trained to adapt to the jungle environment so that they could be eventually released to the wild. This is done by providing the animals with monotonous food, to encourage them to forage in the jungle on their own.

In addition to orangutans, the centre also treat sun bears, gibbons and the rare Sumatran rhinoceroses.

Getting there

Take the local bus, painted blue, with the words "Sepilok Batu 14" from the bus station at the Sandakan market on the waterfront. The fare is RM3.50 for the 30 minute journey. The last bus back to Sandakan leaves at 4:30 pm.

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
Tel: 089 531180
Admission Fee: RM30, camera: RM10

Visitors are restricted to walkways so that they do not come too close to the animals. By preventing unnecessary contact with humans, the centre train the orangutans to get used to life in the forest.