In Febuary 2009 I spent 1 month as a volunteer on the Great Orangutan Project at Matang Wildlife Centre in Sarawak, Borneo. During my time there I learnt alot and got an insight into some of the challenges that face this amazing species survival and most importantly I found a project that is making a difference.

Here is alittle bit about my experience:

“It had been a long time ambition of mine to do a project with endangered animals, in a country which I knew relatively little about and had not  experienced. The need to understand, take part, contribute, understand and make some sort of difference to animals that are in need of help was becoming over whelming feeling. I did quite abit of research online when looking for a volunteer placement were I felt  the work that was being done was genuinely making a difference.  I came across WOX and got the right impression, so enquired and secured a place.

I had been looking forward to arriving in Borneo for months and planned it so this was the last month of a four month trip. When I arrived I was immediately made to feel welcome, as soon as I stepped off the plane, Richard from Singgahsana Lodge met me, walked right up and knew my name. ‘Hello Dawn’. The first night I met the rest of the volunteers and we went for food, with Leo Biddle, the conservation manager. It was fascinating to hear about the conservation work and Leo’s take on his time working on the project. We were full of questions and Leo was only too happy to answer each of them, in detail.

We were all eager to get to the wildlife centre to meet the animals and see where we would be spending the next month. I was unsure what to expect and was impressed to find  wooden houses on stilts, facing each other and living alongside the families who worked there. Yes they were abit mouldy in places; cold showers etc but at the end of a hot day a cold shower isn’t a bad thing. We were taken to the supermarket each week to buy food, so being a vegetarian was no problem at all.

We were taken around the trail on the first day and introduced to all the animals, provided with facts about the natural environment, the challenges and the conservation efforts. I had to take some notes as I wanted to retain as much of the information as possible. It was absolutely amazing to work with all of the animals at matang, the orangutans of course where a highlight, each having their own personality and character.  Sometimes I had to pinch myself, as seeing an orangutan each day became ‘normal’, I treasured every moment of the whole experience.

There are many other animals at the centre such as the sunbears, which I knew nothing about before this project. The smallest bear in the world and also endangered, matang has 9 of the bears and the bear monitoring we did was really enjoyable, learning about their behaviour and being rewarded by seeing their tree climbing improve during your time there.

The work varied from husbandry (cleaning poo!), enrichment activities for the animals to encourage their wild behaviour, bear monitoring and construction work, which ranged from building bridges to moving lots of rocks to build a new pond in the crocodile enclosure. It was hard work, so be prepared for that but it’s was very very rewarding.

What struck me about the project is not just the animals but the people you get to work with from the fellow volunteers whom we are already taking of a reunion with, the keepers (Hilary, Maz, Alvin, Juan & Sandy) who have such patience, genuine care and professionalism in ensuring the animals health and safety are the primary concern, never a complaint and often managing with basic tools and equipment. The continuous strength and energy put into the construction work is truly admirable. The families who lived there were great also, hosting BBQ’s and cooking meals, it was a lovely community.

Nothing was never too much trouble for Tasha, always smiling, so much strength for one so tiny and so kind in sorting out the weekend trips for us to Bako National Park, and even driving me to the airport when I went diving in Sipiden islands in Sabah. Thankyou Tasha.

When it came time to leave, it really was emotional. I will be staying in touch, remaining involved and will hopefully return”

Dawn