Orang Utans are Totally Protected Animals
Orang Utans are Totally Protected Animals under Sarawak's Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998. Any person found hunting, killing, capturing, selling, offer for sale, importing, exporting or be in procession of any trophy or flesh shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a term of imprisonment of 2 years and a fine of RM30,000.

Why are they Totally Protected?
Because hunting and trapping threaten their very existence in Sarawak. With each passing year, there are fewer and fewer Orang Utans in our forests; they have been given special protection because they are most severely threatened.

The picture shows orang utans under the rehabilitation program in Semengoh.

Centre Objectives
The main aims of the centre are :

• To rehabilitate confiscated wildlife that have been incapacitated or handicapped due to prolonged captivity by humans with the objective of releasing them to the forests eventually;
• To conduct research on wildlife and captive breeding particularly on endangered and game species for small scale farming;
• To serve as an education centre for wildlife conservation for students, trainee teachers and the general public.

• Visitor information centre;
• Bird Breeding enclosure;
• Small mammals breeding site;
• 1 large orang-utan enclosures;
• 2 large bird enclosures;
• 10 large mammal enclosures;
• Quarantine facilities (closed to public).

General Feeding Times for Orang Utan
Morning: 9.00 am to 10.00am
Afternoon: 3.00 pm to 3.30 pm

The Rehabilitation Programme

1. The Young Orang Utans
   The young Orang-Utans will be let out of their enclosures for training /exercise. They will be brought to various locations in the forest. Sometimes the animals may stay out in the forest for the whole day. Some may even overnight in the forest. In most cases however, the young animals will be called back to their enclosure by their trainers between 1200 and 1400 hrs.

   During unfavourable weather conditions, the young animals may not be let out of their enclosures or be called back earlier.

   Important note:
   Visitors are advised to stay away from the Orang Utan training site at 1230 hrs. This is to allow the animals to proceed to their resting areas unhindered.

2. The older semi-wild Orang Utans.
   The animals are now more independent and can look for their own food in the Forest Reserve. They rarely come back to rest at the Rehabilitation Centre. However, between March to September when local fruits are scarce, they may wander back to the Centre for extra food.

Hornbill Rehabilitation
Captured hornbills are also brought to the centre for rehabilitation with the intention of eventual release.

Visiting Hours

Monday to Sunday (and public holidays):	0800 - 1230
	1400 - 1600
Friday:	0800 - 1130
	1400 - 1600

Visitors are reminded to leave compound of the Forestry Department Botanical Research Centre by 1615 hrs as the main gate closes shortly after 1630 hrs (Monday to Sunday).

How to get there

1. Bus service
   If you are taking a bus from Kuching, you should board the Sarawak Transport Company (Tel: 242967) bus No. 6, 6A, 6B, 6C Penrissen and alight at the Forestry Department Botanical Research Centre, Semengoh. From the Botanical Research Centre, follow a small trunk road leading to the Rehabilitation Centre through the forest.

   Penrissen buses depart Kuching from the bus station at 0820, 1030, 1100 and 1330 hrs. The last bus back to Kuching leaves Semengoh at 1700 hrs.

   The bus takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Semengoh. Another 30 minutes is needed to walk into the Centre.

2. Taxi service
   Visitors can also hire taxis from Kuching.

Permits
Permit is required for entry to the Semengoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Entry without a permit is an offence and could lead to prosecution.

Rules and Regulations
As the Centre is located in a Nature Reserve and the existing animals are being rehabilitated with the objective of returning them to the wild, visitors are reminded not to:-

• Litter;
• Collect or pick any plants or animals;
• Touch, hold, feed or play with the Orang Utans. Humans can transmit certain diseases to the Orang Utans and vice-versa. By eliminating contact, we hope to reduce any disease transmission between humans and the animals
• Bring food for the animals.

Reminder
The animals are wild; do not treat them as pets, feed them, touch them or be photographed with them. Food and drinks are not allowed within the centre.