orang utans in borneo

orang utans are cool...plain and simple. they are not in a rush to get anywhere, do anything...they just hang out and enjoy kickin it. with such expressive faces though, at times, it's hard to look into their soft sweet eyes. these guys are, as the pictures show, much more used to humans than their long nosed relatives in my previous post. they've either been abandoned, born in captivity, orphaned or whatever other usually human based offense against them has occurred...but the sepilok rehabilitation center is true to its word and has re-introduced many of the primates back into the wild. some return regularly, some never again and some never want to leave the comforting platforms stocked with food! but, they are all well cared for and given their own space and time to do what they want. it's a great place. there are two feeding viewings per day the public can attend and loads of people show up, but the orang utans don't mind and even one came onto "our" platform as if it was no big thing. of course, we were all maintaining the posted silence requested, and even as the gentle beast jumped up on the platform and began walking on two legs...like a drunk man...across and hopped up the other side, people slowly moved out of its way and respected its space while only letting out a few gasps while broadening many eyes! it was great, but at no moment did we feel threatened or did the orang utan...it just casually walked off into the distance wondering why we were all looking at it! we are, once again, so fortunate to see these animals as they near extinction in the wild. beautiful...truly lovely animals. they climb through the branches and ropes so gracefully and quietly, often times clutching a baby or piece of fruit in one or two of their hands or feet. one not so delicious trait about them is that they vomit up their food and then re-eat it...that part was gross, but even with that, they were generous and let the others eat, too!! lol! i loved watching them and can imagine why some people would want them as pets with their pensive gazes and calm nature. unfortunately, most of them wind up mistreated, however unintentionally, and the lucky ones wind up at places like this. hope you're all well and enjoy the photos! drop me a comment when you can. lots of love, j