Conservation & Community Initiative

Outcomes

Environmental & Wildlife Outcomes

Improved animal welfare through enrichment, foraging tools, and clean habitats for orangutans and sun bears.

Direct support for species survival, especially vulnerable and endangered animals like hornbills, sun bears, and orangutans.

Reforestation progress, with nearly 200 trees propagated to restore habitat and create wildlife corridors.

Conservation Action Outcomes

Artificial hornbill nests built and donated for real-world use and education.

Sustainable fishing practices are promoted through net donations, reducing damage to regenerating forests.

Community & Cultural Outcomes

Strengthened community ties with the Orang Sungai through shared cultural experiences and project collaboration.

Support for local conservation NGOs, increasing their reach and impact.

Cultural preservation through student participation in traditional arts, cooking, and crafts.

Educational Outcomes

Hands-on learning for students in conservation, sustainability, and cultural respect.

Increased awareness and empathy, inspiring future environmental stewardship.

Expanded program: from one to two school groups, showing positive reception and continued commitment.

Background

SEPILOK ORANGUTAN REHABILITATION CENTRE AND THE BORNEO SUNBEAR CENTRE

Sabah is estimated to have 11,000 Bornean orangutans today, compared to the 288,500 orangutans found 5 decades ago. Deforestation, palm oil plantations, and hunting are threatening the population’s survival. Orangutans play a vital role in the ecosystem as well, known as the ‘man of the forest.’ They aid forest regeneration by serving as the world’s greatest seed dispersers. Sun bears are a keystone species, helping sustain healthy tropical forests. Yet they’re facing relentless challenges to their survival from heavy deforestation, habitat degradation, and indiscriminate snaring. This species is further threatened by poaching to supply bear meat for human consumption and body parts for use in traditional Chinese medicines. Consequently, sun bear populations in the wild have dramatically declined in recent decades and now this species is classified as vulnerable to extinction.

HORNBILL CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Hornbills play a vital role in regenerating our rainforest as they disperse viable seeds of large fruiting trees, especially fig species and lipid-rich fruits, and therefore for plant reproduction. Asian hornbills nest in naturally occurring cavities in living trees. These birds are unable to excavate their own nest cavities; therefore, they rely on naturally produced cavities to procreate. Large hornbill species require huge cavities, which can only be found in large, mature trees. However, past significant logging activities have removed or killed the majority of these large trees, especially in the Kinabatangan area. As a result, the birds that live in the floodplain today face serious challenges due to the absence of a suitable breeding place. During our program, we will take part in extensive hornbill conservation, both in nursery work for reforestation and also to take part in the artificial hornbill nesting boxes.

SUKAU “PEOPLE OF THE RIVER” CULTURAL AWARENESS PROGRAM

Borneo is known for their diverse culture, and one of the main ethnic groups comes from a tribe known as the Suku Kaum Sungai, also known as the “People of the River.” We settle into our nature lodge and enjoy a traditional local cuisine from the village. After lunch, we join the local village community of the gentle Orang Sungai (River People). We will join a village and tribe orientation and join a number of cultural activities in the surrounding jungle. The activities may include such programs as the Seni Silat (Indigenous Martial Art), Seni Tari (traditional dance), traditional craft and carvings. The Orang Sungai are known for Bird’s Nest Supply, we will also take part in learning of the process and importance of birds nest.