King, Queen meet 'Didi', 'Taburi' in Sepilok

SANDAKAN: The “Kembara Kenali Borneo” Royal entourage made a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, which is located about 25km from Sandakan, Sabah. This centre is renowned worldwide as a sanctuary and conservation centre for the endangered orangutan species. The King and Queen of Malaysia, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, along with the Royal convoy, were warmly welcomed by excited Sabahans who gathered along the roadside to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.

During the visit, the King and Queen had the opportunity to feed a Borneoan pygmy elephant calf named “Taburi”, and Tunku Azizah named a young orangutan “Didi”. The Royal couple also signed a name plaque for the orangutan. They spent time interacting with Didi and Taburi, who displayed their playful and mischievous nature.

Prior to the visit, the Royal couple was briefed about the rehabilitation centre by the director of Sabah Wildlife Department, Augustine Tuuga. Following their visit to the centre, the entourage made their way to Beluran. Among the officials present were Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.

Didi is a Bornean orangutan, a critically endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The exact population figure for this species is currently unknown, but a study conducted in 2004 estimated that there were around 55,000 Bornean orangutans inhabiting 82,000 square kilometres of forest in Sabah, a significant decline from the 288,500 orangutans recorded in 1973.

Taburi, on the other hand, is a unique species of elephant found only in Borneo. It has also been listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List since September 18, 2019. According to experts, the population of these elephants in Sabah is estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,500 within the next decade.

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, spanning over 1,737.72 hectares, was established in 1964. It serves as a medical facility for orphaned orangutan infants and rescued orangutans. Managed by the Sabah Wildlife Department, the centre not only focuses on rehabilitation but also plays a crucial role in educating the public and raising awareness about the conservation of Sabah’s natural treasures.

In Beluran, King Al-Sultan Abdullah will be briefed by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi on the progress of the Pan Borneo Highway project. The royal entourage is also scheduled to visit the Petronas petrol station at Batu 32 on the Labuk Bypass.