Today, our second day exploring the tropical island of Borneo on board National Geographic Orion, we have the special opportunity to visit the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine in the village of Pasir Panjang. For the past 44 years, Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas has dedicated herself to understanding and protecting Bornean orangutans, whose populations have declined by almost 50% during this time. The Care Center was established in 1997 as a halfway house and shelter for infant and juvenile orangutans. The Care Center currently employs over 140 local staff and has in its care 340 orangutan orphans.
Being in the presence of the Bornean orangutans, which share 97% of our DNA, is a very special and moving experience. Dr. Galdikas is a hero to these endangered primates, and it’s clear they recognize her. We visited the nursery and the jungle training area, and the young, energetic orangutans were as curious about us as we were of them. It was a privilege to be up close and personal with the orangutans.
Hopefully, if all goes well, these current residents will be released back into the wild. But with the accelerated loss of lowland rainforest habitat associated with deforestation of the growing palm oil industry, their survival lies in the balance. The Orangutan Foundation International, founded by Dr. Galdikas, is working tirelessly to better understand the life history of orangutans, protect their natural habitat, and educate the local population to ensure their survival.
Before heading back to the ship we were treated to a cultural dance performance in the Pasir Panjang Longhouse. It was great to see the next generation learning the traditional dances, and the bold among us even tried our hand at shooting darts from a blowgun.
Looking into the eyes of an orangutan will no doubt will change us all forever.
