Orangutan Wildlife Center

Visit the award-winning Matang Wildlife Centre in Malaysian Borneo to aid conservation and protection of one of the world's most fascinating and enchanting species: the orangutan.

About the Program

Due to mass deforestation, mining and forest fires, orangutan habitats in Malaysia are depleting and are also under constant threat. As a consequence, the species is increasingly endangered. The Matang Wildlife Centre is a refuge for orangutans which have been left injured, orphaned or likewise, usually as a direct result of these threats. The centre works tirelessly to reverse this trend in a number of ways and is thoroughly enriched by the involvement of the volunteers. Taking part in this program allows you to actively participate in the efforts of the impressive Matang Wildlife Centre alongside its fantastic team, helping to improve the lives of the orangutans whilst working towards their future protection.

As a volunteer on this program, you will enjoy the incredible rainforest surroundings of Kubah National Park as you work alongside sanctuary staff, assisting in a number of tasks along the way. You will help to improve husbandry standards, provide enrichment for the orangutans, and assist with construction tasks among others.

Everyone involved with the Matang Wildlife Centre is dedicated to managing and promoting responsible tourism, with volunteering experiences like this one aiming to work in the best interests of the animals and environment. Your support will help the Matang Wildlife Centre to work towards its aims, and you'll also earn a lifetime of memories along the way.

First Days 

You will need to arrive at Kuching Airport on the start date of your program between the hours of 7am and 5pm, where you will be met by a program representative in the arrivals hall and transferred to your first night's accommodation. On the first night there is a welcome dinner, where you will meet all of your fellow volunteers and the program facilitators. After breakfast the following morning, you and the rest of your group will take a private transfer to the Matang Wildlife Centre. Here, after settling in, you will meet the project staff and take a full tour of the centre.

Regular Days

Work varies on a day to day basis, as well as depending on the season and on how many volunteers are on site. However, typical tasks include the following:

Enrichment: 

A major part of this program is creating enrichment. This is the process of providing the animals with stimulating environments, items and surroundings designed to encourage and promote their natural behaviours. This will enhance their potential for release, as well as improve their quality of life while they still reside at the centre.

Husbandry:

Another big part of the work on this program is husbandry for the orangutans, sun bears, macaques, binturongs and other animals. This includes feeding the animals as well as cleaning the wildlife cages and enclosures; an essential part of any wildlife centre.

Construction:

Small construction tasks can also be part of this program as without such work, the centre would struggle to grow. Thanks to previous construction efforts, the centre has been able to accept more animals in the hopes of being able to rehabilitate and release as many as possible. In the past, volunteers have been involved with the building of aviaries, gibbon cages, feeding platforms in the forest, boardwalks around the park, and ranger stations in the national park.

Organic Farming:

Over the past few years, volunteers have helped create an organic farm to grow food for the animals at the centre, enabling it to become a more sustainable institution. The orangutan sanctuary is determined that the farm remain organic and they continue to rely on the efforts of volunteers to keep it under control. The program staff feel it is definitely an attainable dream for this and other orangutan centres to organically grow all the food they need to keep their animals alive and healthy. Tending to the farm has, therefore, become a regular job for the volunteers, but please note it is not always guaranteed.

Maintenance:

Due to the humid rainforest environment and a range of animal interaction, maintenance of buildings and structures is an on-going task. You may be needed to help with painting, cleaning, varnishing and gardening, among other elements of maintenance - there is always work to be done!

Last Days

On the penultimate day of the program, you will transfer back to the Basaga Guesthouse for your final night’s stay and a farewell dinner in the evening with the program staff and your fellow volunteers. Depending on your departure flight time the following day, you may have time for a lie-in or even to see Kuching one last time before you take a private transfer to the airport, either for your return flight or to continue your independent travel plans.

During your time on this programme, you will receive two consecutive days off (usually Saturday and Sunday, though this cannot be guaranteed). As you will have most likely travelled a long way to Borneo, we always suggest taking advantage of the your spare time to explore the surrounding area, including Kubah National Park and Damai Beach, either by yourself or with your fellow volunteers. You can also look at visiting a long-house, meeting the Iban tribe, visiting nearby markets and social and interactive activities with locals and researchers. Interaction with the local communities is always encouraged to strengthen local relationships and continue to aid human animal conflict.