Day 61 - George Town, Malaysia

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What we did
Malaysia greeted us with yet another sweltering day, and our adventure took us to Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island, a sanctuary dedicated to the conservation of endangered Bornean orangutans. Nestled within the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort in Perak, this eco-tourism destination is unique because the orangutans roam freely in a natural environment, while visitors observe them from enclosed walkways; essentially flipping the usual zoo experience on its head. However, getting there was no small feat: nearly two hours each way by bus. The logistics were less than ideal as three buses departed together, but only one boat was available to ferry visitors (one bus load at a time) across Bukit Merah Lake to the island sanctuary. Each round trip took about 40 minutes, meaning patience was required before reaching the island sanctuary.

Before boarding the boat, we met with a veterinarian who introduced us to the program and described each of the 15 orangutans by name, sharing their backstories and personalities. Once on the island, the sight of these magnificent creatures was immediate and unforgettable. Walking through the wire tunnel felt like we were the ones in the cage, while the orangutans swung freely around us. Some visitors with VIP passes were allowed into restricted areas, even feeding the orangutans. However we didn't feel like we missed much as the enclosed walkway still offered intimate views of their intelligence and playfulness. We also spotted a few mischievous monkeys, living up to their reputation for “monkey business.”

After our time on the island, we were treated to light refreshments that consisted of pastries, cookies, nuts, and juice. The heat was relentless, and by the end of the excursion, we were grateful to climb back onto the bus, cool down, and reflect on what was truly a rare and rewarding glimpse into the lives of Malaysia’s orangutans.

Trivia About Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island

• The sanctuary spans 35 acres, making it one of the largest orangutan rehabilitation centers in West Malaysia.

• It was created as part of a conservation program that cares for orangutans outside their natural forest habitat.

• Their mission includes focusing on education, research, and rehabilitation of orangutans outside their native Bornean forests.

• Orangutans here share about 97% of their DNA with humans, which explains their strikingly familiar behaviors. It was amazing to watch the baby monkey for example, playing in the sand near the shore, throwing sand up in the air repeatedly, just like a human toddler.

• The sanctuary is part of the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, a manmade lake resort area that also offers water parks and family activities.

Cultural Contex

Because it was Ramadan, the resort area and surrounding towns were quieter than usual, with fewer people out and about; a pattern we’ve noticed across Muslim-majority regions during this season. Ramadan lasts for about 30 days and includes the practice of fasting (including water) from sun up to sun down as well as refraining from other physical indulgences (like smoking and vacationing). They do this to practice self-control and focus on spiritual growth.