Welcome to Day 15 of the A-Z Blogging Challenge. My theme
is:
'Wildlife Encounters'
Edited extract from one of my articles published in Air Nuiguini’s in-flight magazine:
The trail was slick
with mud. Sweat trickled down my back. The air smelt rich and peaty from
rotting leaves. Thick jungle muffled the scrapings and scratchings of unseen
wildlife. My husband stopped abruptly with a small exclamation of disgust. A
leech was exploring his boot.
We were in the Sepilok Forest Reserve in Sabah, Malaysia on
the island of Borneo searching for pongo pygmaeus, better known as orang-utan:
The Man of the Forest.
The orang-utan is the only ape in South-east Asia and their
numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate.
We slogged for an hour up the track in the reserve but our
search only yielded ants, millipedes and leeches. Our time was limited. If we
wanted to see orang-utans we would have to visit the rehabilitation centre.
Staff conduct two feeding sessions for the apes at a nearby
platform in the forest. The orang-utans who visit this feeding station are in
the last stages of rehabilitation. Whilst the animals are completely at
liberty, they haven't quite severed ties with the Centre.
We followed the signs along wooden boardwalks to the busy
public viewing area.
Ropes had been placed to allow the apes easy access to the
feeding platform. We watched in delight as young apes swung along these ropes,
stopping periodically to take a good look at the gawping visitors.
I was struck by their silent contemplation of us and gentle
behaviour with each other.
We went for another walk along a trail in the reserve in the
hope of seeing a male adult Man of the Forest. But the fully grown males don't
need human interaction any longer and stay hidden deep in the reserve.
All we got were leeches and millipedes, but maybe it was
better that way.
See you tomorrow – I’m heading south east again. Can you guess
where and what the next animal will be?
Mmmmm... SE? I wonder... while you wander!
ReplyDeleteMaybe a platypus in Oz? ;-)
AJ at Ouch My Back Hurts
Ah, the weird and wonderful platypus. Did you know that when a (dead) platypus was taken to England in the eighteenth century the scientists of the day thought it must be a hoax.
DeleteWon't it be fantastic if it is my animal tomorrow?
Yes... just fantastic!! ;-)
Delete:) :)
DeleteOrang Utan. I guessed right! For once. Lovely photos, Susan.
ReplyDeleteAneeta from
How to Tell a Great Story
Thanks, Aneeta - glad you enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteMy son's friend - and by association mine - travels far and wide in search of wildlife to photograph. Orang-utans are one of his passions. Sometimes I copy his FB posts, so look out for Woody Wood!
ReplyDeleteThey are such special animals, Liz - so gentle and intelligent - it's truly terrible that they are so endangered due to human interference.
DeleteI think these are my favourite apes. They just seem gentle even though they are huge.. I'm not sure what your next animal will be...penguin?? platypus??
ReplyDeleteI think they're my favourites too, Birgit. (Good guesses)
DeleteThat must have been wonderful to see. I thought I'd travelled a lot of the world, but you....!
ReplyDeleteKeith's Ramblings
They were indeed wonderful, Keith. I've still got plenty of places on my wishlist to see.
DeleteI hope to see them someday. But right now I am happy with the pictures you have posted here :)
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Srivi - AtoZChallenge
O for Obsession | Twitter
That's nice to know, Srivi.
DeleteNo, leeches are never the better alternative!! Brrrr. The young Orang-utans seem so carefree but I know none in the wild are. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roland. But, you know, even leeches are interesting. :)
ReplyDeleteIf there is one animal I long to see in person as it were, it is the orang-utan. REALLY long. I have done the orang-utan before on the challenge! ~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
ReplyDeleteYes, Liz - orang-utans were very high on my wish list. I would have liked to have caught a glimpse of one when we were out in the reserve, but I shouldn't be greedy.
DeleteBeautiful pics. Though seeing them in person is a whole different experience all together...
ReplyDeleteIt is. When you can see, smell, hear and 'feel' the atmosphere in a creature's natural habitat it does make a profound difference.
DeleteOh my those are incredible photos Susan! So vivid I felt as though I could almost hear the orangutans. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this post, Sue. Orang-utans are very quiet though. It's quite possible that we came close to some in the reserve but never heard them. :)
DeleteGreat photos Susan! I love orangutans too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Zeljka!
DeleteThose are some very cute pics Susan... Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteCheers, Archana - www.travelwitharchie.com
Hi, Archana and thanks for dropping by!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! Love your blog and how each post takes the reader on an adventure!
ReplyDeleteHi Jared - sorry for the delay in responding to your comment - I'm glad you're enjoying my blog.
ReplyDelete