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Veterinarian listening to infant orangutans heartbeat

Projects

Veterinary care & support

The clinic at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre provides 24-hour care to injured and sick orangutans.

Veterinary nurse

Ibritinah (Ibri) has worked for us since 2005 and is a valuable member of the Sepilok team. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Ibri ensures that round the clock care is provided to orangutans at the clinic. She also performs regular health checks, assists in surgery, takes x-rays, helps with vaccinations, administers medication, prepares food and is instrumental in the day to day care of the orangutans.

Ibri the vet nurse carrying out an orangutan health check at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Orangutan health checks

Orangutans, especially the young and vulnerable ones, can experience sickness. During their time at Sepilok, they have routine check-ups and bi-annual health checks which we are pleased to fund. The check-up includes weighing, a basic physical examination and blood sampling for general health screening every six months.

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Orangutan in a basket which sits on top of a scale so it can be weighed.

Clinic equipment

The clinic at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre provides 24-hour care to injured and sick orangutans and other wildlife. It is an important facility which increases survival rates for members of this critically endangered species.

Over the years, we have provided a range of clinic equipment including a custom made operating table, a UV steriliser, blood testing kits, haemoglobin readers, an autoclave, water-bath, microscopes, surgical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), Covid-19 testing kits, an x-ray developer, cassettes and aprons.

Orangutan vet using clinic equipment

Ground-breaking surgery

Orangutan Appeal UK made history by funding the world’s first cataract operation on a mature male orangutan. Aman, a 19 year old dominant male orangutan, had been left virtually blind by developing cataracts. The three hour long operation to restore his sight was performed at the Matang Wildlife Centre in Sarawak, Malaysia, and was conducted by specialist animal ophthalmologist Dr Izak Venter of South Africa, and specialist anaesthetist, Frik Stegmann, also from South Africa.

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Anekara Implantation surgery

Explore more articles

  • Orangutan hand and foot gripping rope at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

    Projects in the field

    Orangutan rehabilitation

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

  • Orangutan Rescue

    Projects in the field

    Rescue & reintroduction

    We aid the rescue and reintroduction of orphaned, displaced and injured orangutans, as well as those who are victims of the illegal wildlife trade.

  • Our Staff and Rangers

    Projects in the field

    Care staff

    We employ 14 dedicated care staff and rangers at Sepilok, responsible for the daily care and rehabilitation of orphaned and injured orangutans.