Sarawak’s Conservation Centre of Excellence for Orangutan Research studies in Batang Ai National Park

The Star, Malaysia, 8 July 2007:

Sarawak, which has taken a lead role in orangutan conservation work, is carrying out a wide-scope of research on the "wild man of the forest'' in Borneo. 

The recently established Conservation Centre of Excellence for Orangutan Research is spearheading the comprehensive studies that cover the endangered species' behaviour (reproduction, diet, foraging, vocalisation and nesting), its ecology, population enhancement, habitat improvement and rehabilitation programmes. 

Other activities are to compile an inventory of orangutan population, DNA studies, zoonotic diseases, visitors' impact study and eco-tourism programme. 

Sarawak Forestry said the Conservation Centre of Excellence set up early this year in Nanga Delok, in the Batang Ai National Park in Sri Aman Division, had a research administration station to provide various facilities, like a research laboratory, telecommunication installations and accommodation for researchers. 

"An allocation of RM3.65 million has been approved for the centre's Development during the Ninth Malaysia Plan,” it added in one of the leaflets published to educate the public on the conservation and rehabilitation programme for the orangutans. 

The Batang Ai National Park forms part of a 404,000 ha trans-boundary biodiversity conservation area, comprising the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary (Sarawak) and Betung Kerihun National Park (Kalimantan).  The conservation area has the biggest concentration of the Bornean Orangutan population. 

Sarawak Forestry said Malaysia had submitted the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary and Batang Ai National Park (covering a total area of 232,000 ha) to UNESCO to be inscribed as a world heritage site. 

"The Conservation Centre of Excellence is to provide a referral centre for orangutan research work in Borneo, facilitate and consolidate all orangutan conservation efforts and research from the totally protected areas of Batang Ai and Lanjak Entimau,” it added. 

It said the orangutan rehabilitation programme was carried out by the Semenggok and Matang Wildlife Centres here where visitors could learn more about the highly intelligent animal of the rainforest. 

Sarawak Forestry said the world's orangutan population had dropped as its survival had been threatened by deforestation, human encroachment into its habitat, indiscriminate hunting and the live animal trade. 

By Jack Wong in Kuching.