How to ethically adopt a Borneo orangutan

Sequestered in the foliage, a rustling of leaves piqued the curiosity of a farmer harvesting his crops who was soon surprised to encounter a baby orangutan… alone, hungry and with no mother in sight. Infant orangutans spend the first two years of their lives clinging to their mother’s chest in a state of total dependency, making this event all the more tragic.

The team at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre soon received the call and promptly rescued the tiny orphan. At that time, she only weighed 1½ kg (roughly the same as a pineapple). After a short quarantine period to ensure her health, she was allowed to mingle with the other youngsters at the indoor nursery. Due to the location she was found – a 25-million-year-old landmark known as the Agop Tulug caves – she was subsequently named Agop!

Here at Odyssey World, we have been supporting the Orangutan Appeal UK foundation for many years, offering travellers to Borneo the chance to make their own adoption prior to visiting the sanctuary. In 2012, we adopted our first orangutan: Beryl! Enjoying regular updates, we watched her transform from a shy and unsure infant to a confident and skilful character, learning vital survival skills and displaying some particularly endearing quirks (Beryl hates getting wet, so she crafted her own leaf umbrella!).

In January 2020 we adopted Canyon! After having formerly been kept illegally as a pet, she was rescued by the sanctuary and has made herself at home. It was thought that she was born in the Imbak Canyon Forest, hence her name. Despite a quiet and gentle personality, she has made friends with young male named Tombi and together they enjoy exploring and clambering through the trees. We’re delighted that Beryl and Canyon have now graduated from the sanctuary and live semi-wild in the surrounding forest!

And of course, the most recent addition to our roster: Agop! Now that she’s beginning to settle in, befriend her peers and learn survival skills, her individuality is really shining through! Although the older orangutans can be a little too boisterous, Agop is keen to get involved in their games. She enjoys eating leafy greens and bananas and after eating will often use the leftover leaves and greens to fashion a comfortable resting place for herself.

Working closely with the wonderful charity Orangutan Appeal UK, for just £32.50 you have the option to sponsor Agop too! You become adoptive parents, receive an adoption certificate, as well as photos and updates of Agop. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a popular and crucial part of most of our Borneo tour itineraries. Not only is it the one place where you can enjoy close and responsible encounters with these beautiful primates, but learning about the conservation efforts first-hand is an unbeatable education in the most natural and beautiful of settings.

Founded in 2000, Orangutan Appeal UK is on an impassioned mission to protect these critically endangered species through various means, from habitat rehabilitation and conservation to global awareness efforts. With a copious number of ecological achievements, their tireless work is creating a brighter future for orangutans and the delicate ecosystems they inhabit.

Want to see your adopted orangutan thriving in person? Our numerous Borneo itineraries acquaint you with boisterous orangutans and wonderful wildlife alongside the verdant beauty of the island. To find out more, visit our destination page or contact us directly – either by sending us an email at enquiries@odyssey-world.co.uk or calling us (+44 117 313 7070)!