Orangutan Paradise

A rare and wonderful treat awaited us in the hot, sticky jungles of Borneo today. Located about 20 miles outside of Kuching is the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for injured or captured orangutans. It's several thousand acres thick with lush ferns and tropical bamboo trees. The air smelled like a damp towel that had been sitting in a fragrance pool of wild perfume.

Our guide Ambrose was our expert on the rare species of monkey that live here. As soon as we arrived he launched into the tour by describing that 96% of the orangutans genetics or DNA are identical to humans. That surprised me.

"In our Malay language, 'oran' means people and 'utan' means forest so they truly are the 'people of the forest'," said Ambrose.

Videotaping our humble beginnings was an easy feat during feeding time. They magically appeared out of the bush for fresh coconut, ripe bananas and the attention of a whole mess of gawkers clicking away on their Kodaks.

The beasts are very clean animals too and make their nests on the top of the trees. Ever watchful of wild cats and snakes they stay healthy and safe thanks to the Wildlife Protection Ordinance passed in 1998. The law gives them total protection from being killed, eaten, sold or kept as pets, allowing their numbers to grow slowly from the brink of extinction. Orangutans give birth only once every 7 or 8 years.

Beads of sweat dripped down the back of my shirt as I cocked my neck way back to watch one swinging from vine to vine. Dead tree branches and leaves fell to the ground nearly grazing my face but, thankfully, nothing messier than that. Dozens of us watched in delight at their playtime antics, human-like expressions and nurchering qualities. When we left, I was thrilled to learn that I had just videotaped orangutans found only in 2 countries - Borneo and Sumatra. The difference between the two species in each country are very subtle, one having a slightly larger face and browner fur.