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Orangutan hand and foot gripping rope at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

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Orangutan rehabilitation

Rescued orangutans at Sepilok undergo a five-step rehabilitation programme to increase their chances of returning to the wild.

Orangutan rehabilitation is a long and carefully managed process, designed to help orphaned and injured orangutans regain the skills they need to live independently in the wild. Orangutan Appeal UK supports this rehabilitation work through long-term funding, with our staff responsible for delivering the rehabilitation programme at Sepilok.

Orangutan infants stay with their mothers for up to eight years in the wild. Orangutans separated from their mothers prematurely, stand very little chance of survival in the wild. The fortunate ones are rescued and taken to rehabilitation centres, such as Sepilok.

Many are malnourished, dehydrated and some have sustained injuries. Almost all are suffering from severe stress and trauma.

An orangutan lies on a red sheet, on its back, as a vet and carer administer aid.

Sepilok provides specialist care for these vulnerable youngsters, equipping them with the life skills they need for an independent life in the wild.

This is a lengthy and costly process, which can take up to eight years, depending on the orangutan's age and ability.

Step 1

Admission & assessment

Orangutans undergo a thorough health check. They'll receive treatment for any illness or injury and are provided with their own enclosure.

Very young orangutans have one-to-one care from a vet nurse who acts as a surrogate mother. The team take it in turns to look after and feed the babies throughout the night.

After a period of quarantine, to ensure they are not able to spread any diseases to the other orangutans, they are slowly introduced to their fellow nursery mates.

Orangutan drinking milk from a bottle.

Step 2

Indoor nursery

This is where they start to build their confidence, using a series of climbing ropes that connect to trees and platforms. They will spend a minimum of four hours per day learning skills such as climbing, nest-building and selecting their own food to eat from the forest.

As the orangutans gain additional skills, they are encouraged to spend more time in the trees with their peers and rely less on support from their human carers.

Two care team members helping two infant orangutans hold onto the ropes.

Step 3

Outdoor nursery

This is the training area for older orangutans. Here they continue to develop their climbing and foraging skills. Dependence on food and emotional support from the care team is reduced. They're given increased freedom and are able to spend the night in the forest, if they choose. They are monitored for signs of becoming self-sufficient and ready for release.

A group of orangutans gathered around food on a wooden platform at the outdoor nursery of Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Step 4

Soft release

The team will bring the orangutans further into the Sepilok-Kabili reserve for a ‘soft release’. They spend a few days acclimatising to their new surroundings and are provided with some supplementary food. They are able to freely explore the area and become self-reliant, spending less time at the release site.

Group of orangutan care staff wearing wellies and face masks, standing in the rainforest surrounded by tall trees.

Step 5

Independence

Orangutans that show no sign of wanting or needing human support are left to start their new lives as independent, wild orangutans.

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Wild male orangutan moving through the trees looking for food at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

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