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MALAYSIA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: SEPILOK ORANG-UTAN REHABILITATION

CENTRE (JANUARY 2015 GROUP ONLY)

Change History

Issue Date of Issue Initials No. of Pages Pages Changed and Reasons for Change

32 22-09-14 KM 18 Mosquito nets provided in rooms

31 06-06-14 18 Vaccinations information

30 10-04-14 17 Vaccinations information

29 03-03-14 17 Various Changes Made

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Table of Contents

Welcome To Your Travellers Programme! ........................................................................................................................... 2

Brief Summary Of What’s Included on Your Project ............................................................................................................ 2

PROJECT LOCATION: ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

SEPILOK CENTRE: ............................................................................................................................................................. 3

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SEPILOK CENTRE: ............................................................................................. 3

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ORANG-UTAN CONSERVATION: ............................................................................ 3

YOUR WORK RESPONSIBILITIES AT SEPILOK: ............................................................................................................. 4

Orang-Utan Husbandry: ................................................................................................................................................... 4

WORKING HOURS: ............................................................................................................................................................. 5

Your Qualifications: .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

IMPORTANT - VACCINATIONS: ......................................................................................................................................... 6

ACCOMMODATION: ........................................................................................................................................................... 6

PACKING CHECKLIST: ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

DRESS CODE:..................................................................................................................................................................... 8

DONATIONS: ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9

ARRIVAL: YOUR induction to the country: .......................................................................................................................... 9

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE ORANG-UTAN PROJECT: ....................................................................................... 10

COUPLES AND GROUPS: ........................................................................................................................................... 10

ADDITIONAL EXCURSIONS AVAILABLE ........................................................................................................................ 10

GEERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 10

Code of Conduct ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

Attendance & Punctuality ............................................................................................................................................... 11

Taking Time Off ............................................................................................................................................................. 11

Hygiene and Safety........................................................................................................................................................ 11

Sickness ......................................................................................................................................................................... 11

While on your Placement: .............................................................................................................................................. 12

Appendix 1: Sepilok Proposed Work Schedule – November 2012 onwards ..................................................................... 13

Appendix 2: Example of dishes available at the Rest House: ........................................................................................... 14

Appendix 3: Sepilok Contract – To be signed upon arrival ................................................................................................ 15

SOME OF THE STAFF AT SEPILOK: ............................................................................................................................... 17

Welcome To Your Travellers Programme!

I hope you’re looking forward to it – you’re embarking on a wonderful experience that you’ll remember for the rest of

your life. Your Travellers In-Country Representative is looking forward to welcoming you and so are the people on your

project. We all wish you a comfortable and safe journey.

Brief Summary Of What’s Included on Your Project

What's Included:

Accommodation.

Airport Pickup

Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support.

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What's not included:

Flights

Insurance

Local transport

Visas

PROJECT LOCATION:

The project is based at Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan, in the East of Sabah.

SEPILOK CENTRE:

The Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre is situated on the east coast of Sabah, 23 km from Sandakan (the famous Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre). The Centre is run by the Sabah Wildlife Department. A 30-minute drive from Sandakan brings you to Kabili-Sepilok Forest, an enormous area of virgin rainforest. The wealth of indigenous and rare plants, animals and birds that have found sanctuary here must be seen to be believed. The Wildlife Reserve contains the Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Here, more than 4,500 hectares of jungle has been designated for these gentle, shy and charming creatures.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SEPILOK CENTRE: In brief, the Rehabilitation Centre rescues abandoned, injured or orphaned Orang-Utans, as well as liberating animals from captivity. Owning a pet Orang-Utan is strictly forbidden, but this doesn’t stop people penning them up and maltreating them. The Rehabilitation Centre also rescues these animals, which are usually disease-ridden and sometimes injured as well.

Once it has rescued an animal, it treats its injuries and nurses it back to full fitness and health. Often the animals, particularly any orphaned babies, have to be taught how to fend for themselves and survive in the Wild. Once it’s been taught how to climb and forage for food, it is usually released into the surrounding forest. For a while the animals often come back to the Centre to get ‘free meals’ until such time as it is totally at home in the forest. When the Rangers deem the time is right, they recapture the animal, sedate it and then relocate it deep into the wild.

While Orang-Utan rehabilitation is still the primary goal at Sepilok, present aims also include:

Public education on conservation,

Research and assistance into other endangered species such as Borneon

Sun Bears.

STAFF: This centre is under the supervision of approximately 24 staff, including a Wildlife Officer who is also officer-in-charge of the centre, a veterinary doctor, wildlife rangers and general workers.

FACILITIES: The centre has a reception centre, information centre and video centre for tourists, offices for wildlife staff, an animal clinic, quarantine area and enclosures for the sun bears.

The centre has been open since 1964 and has successfully rehabilitated over 100 Orang-Utans. Staff are very serious about their work and will expect you to demonstrate the same commitment.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ORANG-UTAN CONSERVATION:

Rehabilitation centres are undoubtedly the best possible way of teaching people about Orang-Utan conservation, and such programmes are critical in order to protect such an endangered species. However, the presence of visitors does slow down the process of rehabilitation, because Orang-Utans become used to and dependent on humans. During your placement, please don’t lose sight of the fact that the ultimate goal of conservation is protection of the species in the Wild. Rehabilitation programmes are ultimately aimed at returning former captive animals to the wild, in a way which enhances protection of the species as a whole and not just the welfare of individual animals.

Whilst you may handle these animals regularly, it is important that you understand that it is not in line with the aims of the centre for these animals to be in constant contact with humans. They should not become reliant on humans for food and instead need to be taught how to forage for themselves. It is not in the best interest of the Orang-Utans to get used

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to human contact, as at some point it is hoped they will live successfully in the wild. Therefore, at times when you are not required to touch the animals, please refrain from doing so.

IMPORTANT: During your placement you will not be allowed to take ANY photos of the orang-utans or any of the enclosures behind the scenes. Cameras are banned at the Indoor Nursery, Quarantine Area, Outdoor Nursery and on the Trekking rotation. You will only be allowed to take photos of the Orang-Utans at a distance from Platform A (the tourist feeding platform).

There are several reasons for this rule which we ask you to understand. Firstly, it can be a very distracting factor for you during your work at the centre if you have a camera with you. Secondly, images of volunteers holding Orang-Utans were spreading via social media sites (like Facebook) and creating the wrong impression of the rehabilitation programme, which ultimately places it in jeopardy.

This policy was introduced at the end of January 2009 on the Sabah Wildlife Departments’ request. As a compromise, Sepilok allows group photos of the volunteers on their last day, with the centre’s camera.

The only area that you’ll be allowed to photograph is the tourist feeding platform. There are no exceptions to this rule, and it is with regret that we now inform you of the change to this policy which will affect all placements. The Senior Wildlife Department officials are observing this volunteer programme closely to be sure that this rule is observed. Please respect the centres decision on this matter as it’s for the good of the volunteer programme and the Orang-Utans. We are confident that the experiences that you’ll gain at Sepilok will outweigh the benefit of any photo.

Humans and Orang-Utans share over 96% of the same genes and because of this Orang-Utans are highly susceptible to human diseases. If you are feeling unwell, please do not attempt to handle the animals as you may do more harm than good.

Animals which have been in close contact with humans can pick up diseases and parasites which can pass on to wild populations and these wild populations can be devastated if they have no resistance, so this is VERY important.

It is imperative that you show respect to all staff members at the centre as any problems that arise as a result of a volunteer’s behaviour could jeopardise the programme as a whole and the placements for volunteers in the future.

YOUR WORK RESPONSIBILITIES AT SEPILOK:

Specific duties may vary depending on what is required at the time. During your placement at Sepilok it is likely that you will take part in working within the following departments. However, please note that this is a guide only and duties will depend upon the centre’s requirements at the time of your project, so the duties below are not guaranteed and you will need to be flexible:

ORANG-UTAN HUSBANDRY: 1) The Indoor Nursery

This area looks after the infants, from just a few months to around four years old. It consists of two outdoor cages, one for each age group. The babies stay in the sleeping area. About five staff work in the Indoor nursery.

Possible duties include;

Transfer of the Infant Orang-Utan from the sleeping cages to the playing cages.

Cleaning the sleeping area

Preparation of food for the infants (making formula milk)

Feeding the babies bottled formula drink

Distributing food to the infant Orang-Utans

Transferring Orang-Utans back to the Sleeping cages

Cleaning the Indoor nursery area

Enrichment, play and climbing exercises with the Orang-Utans may also be possible.

The indoor nursery also incorporates a clinic, but the number of Orang-Utans in the clinic varies from week to week, so duties here will depend upon the numbers (and ages) they are caring for at any one time. However, you may be required to assist the veterinary staff, undertaking a variety of activities, which could include:

Assessing the daily health status of Orang-Utans

Preparation of food and cleaning of food preparation areas

General feeding, as well as feeding of specifically prescribed food/drinks.

Assisting with exercising, encouraging climbing etc

Cleaning and disinfecting of night enclosures

Returning Orang-Utans to their night enclosures

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2) The Outdoor Nursery

This area is home to the juveniles, generally aged between five and eight years old and represents the final stage of training and human contact before ‘soft release’ of the Orang-Utan into the reserve. At outdoor husbandry, the Orang-Utan are fed from feed cages suspended in the forest edge trees. Their food is sometimes taken to different platforms to ensure that they learn to search for their food. This ensures the Orang-Utan do not become reliant on food being at a particular platform each day. There are two members of staff in the outdoor nursery. Possible duties include;

Collecting the bananas and other food from the storeroom and carrying them

to the nursery.

Feeding food to Orang-Utans using feeding cages raised into the trees.

Monitoring the exercise schedule for the Orang-Utan at the forest edge whilst minimising ‘hands-on’ contact.

To ensure that the rehabilitation process is not compromised hands on contact is very minimal at the outdoor nursery. There is plenty of time for observation of the Orang-Utans in their natural surroundings.

3) Jungle Trek within Sepilok Reserve:

With the assistance of a ranger, you will be required to undertake an observation of the Orang-Utan population within the 4500 Hectare reserve. You will be required to observe and record visits of Orang-Utan to the individual platforms where you will be required to note the number of Orang-Utans, sex ratios, and where possible, even identify individual Orang-Utans from their ID number or name. You may also be asked to observe and assess the climbing skills of individual Orang-Utan. You will also be required to undertake Jungle Treks under the supervision of a ranger to count and record the number of wild orang-utans’ nests within the reserve.

Whilst working in the above departments, your work may also include some ‘hands-on’ activities such as enrichment, play and climbing exercise with the younger Orang-Utans. Please note, hands-on work is not guaranteed and would only take place during areas 1) and possibly 2) above - not throughout the entire duration of your project. Please remember that the tasks you are asked to do, no matter how small, will help to improve the day to day life for the Orang-Utans - you will gain great satisfaction knowing that you have contributed to this. Your help is needed in all areas, and duties could range from feeding baby Orang-Utans to helping the rangers conduct surveys in the jungle. As you can see from the above outline, work will be both hands on and conservation based and you will be required to work hard during your placement. At times you will be supervised by staff at the centre, at other times you will be required to work independently. Work will be done on a rotational basis, with different groups of volunteers working within each of the different departments.

WORKING HOURS:

Working hours will usually be from 8:00 to 4:30, usually on a 6 day rotation between different departments. You will normally have a long lunch break (3 hours) to give you a chance to rest during the midday heat. You may at times be asked to work outside of these hours, for instance, taking part in night walks or nocturnal surveys, if the need arises. Please be prepared to be flexible in case working hours vary. In addition, if you want to help the rangers and their families with their English they’d be delighted for some informal lessons in the evenings.

The Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre is very serious about its work and conservation in general and you will be expected to treat your work there very seriously. They won’t appreciate it if you’re treating your placement as an opportunity to laze around doing nothing – and neither will we! This is a great opportunity for you to learn and gain wonderful experience and, as is the case with all our conservation placements, you will get out of it what you put into it. If you show initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility, we have no doubt that you will benefit enormously by the experience you’ll gain during your placement and the centre will be very appreciative of your efforts while you’re with them. Malaysian people are very friendly but please adhere to the code of good behaviour. You will NOT be allowed to drink alcohol during working hours, and should ensure that any alcohol consumed outside of working hours does not affect your work the next day. This is very important.

Your Qualifications:

You do not need any specific previous experience to take part. The Rehabilitation Centre will have received details of your background prior to accepting you.

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IMPORTANT - VACCINATIONS:

Travellers are not allowed, by law, to give medical advice. This information has been prepared as a rough guide based on what we think your doctor will tell you and also vaccinations that have been implemented by the Sabah Wildlife Department which is a state ministry division of the Malaysian Government that they feel are important not just for the people working there, but also for the protection of the orang-utans. Please ensure that you seek the latest, most up-to-date information from your own doctor or Travel Clinic. Also, please do so in plenty of time before your departure (at least 3 months). You must inform your doctor of the regions you be visiting during your trip and, most importantly, that you will be working directly with primates. The Sabah Wildlife Department (who run Sepilok) requires you to have the following vaccinations and tests:

Tetanus,

Hepatitis A and

Hepatitis B.

Mantoux test or/and Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine.

Chest X-ray (if applicable) The Mantoux test is a test to check whether you have a TB (tuberculosis) infection or disease. This is necessary as many people can become infected with the bacteria that cause TB without developing any symptoms. This test will enable your doctor to determine whether you require a BCG vaccine.

If you have already had the Mantoux test or/and BCG vaccination test before booking this project, you are required to produce a Chest X-ray. This is because the vaccine does not always fully protect you, which means you may have an infection, even if you don’t have any of the symptoms. This X-ray will confirm that that you are clear. A copy of the X-ray must be sent to us, which will be forwarded to Sepilok. However, if you have not had the Mantoux test or/and BCG vaccination before booking this project, you are just required to do the Mantoux test (followed by the BCG vaccine if the test is positive), but are not required to do the chest X-ray as the Sabah Wildlife Department are satisfied that your tests/treatment have been completed recently. Some doctors may decide to administer the BCG vaccine without performing the Mantoux test beforehand, which will also be accepted. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and hope you will understand that the protection of the orange-tans is extremely important as well as your safety. As orang-utans are susceptible to human diseases (and vise versa); with the recent rise in cases of TB around the world including the UK, the Sabah Wildlife Department (Sepilok) feel it is important to implement these additional tests. Although we understand, that the chances you having the infection are extremely low, as you will be working in close proximity for an extended period with the orang-utans, any risk that could potentially harm them must be reduced wherever possible.

The Sepilok centre will normally ask to see proof of the vaccinations (and chest X-ray if applicable) when you arrive, so please make sure to ask your Doctor for a vaccination record card, or Yellow Card.

If it is determined that you require a BCG vaccination or a Chest X-ray and you don’t have it (for any reason whatsoever), or if you don’t have any of the other vaccinations listed above that are required by The Sabah Wildlife Department, you must notify us immediately!

You are required to send us a copy of your Health Vaccination Record card before your departure, as Sepilok need to see a record of the vaccinations you’ve had before your arrival. Failure to do so could result in you being forbidden to work with the Orang-utans by Sepilok on your arrival there. Should this happen, please note that Travellers will not be responsible or held liable for any loss of experience on your part and will not be liable for any refunds resulting from your failure to adhere to the above.

ACCOMMODATION:

Accommodation has been arranged for you in the nearby Sepilok Rest House. This is a privately run Bed and Breakfast which comprises basic but clean facilities. The staff at the Rest House are friendly and helpful. The idea of doing a conservation placement like this is to gain experience and knowledge and give as much help as you can – by its very nature this often comes with a certain amount of ‘roughing it’.

All the rooms will be issued with a mosquito net and we do recommend that you use this every night.

The accommodation is situated at the entrance to the Orang-Utan centre. You will share a room with other Travellers volunteers in your group. All of the rooms are on the first floor and have air conditioning and a balcony. Your room may not have a private bathroom, but you will have access to hot showers and toilets nearby if it does not. You will be

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provided with 3 meals per day at Sepilok Rest House (chosen from a varied daily menu). Volunteers have a choice of both Malaysian and Western dishes (please find an example of a few dishes in the Appendices), but please keep in mind that Malaysia is a developing country and that food wastage is a big issue. Portions may seem smaller than what Westerners are used to, and if you do required bigger portions please speak with a member of staff who will do their best to accommodate you.

Outside - The Sepilok Rest house

Typical Volunteer Bedroom

Typical Volunteer Bedroom

Lounge area

Dining area

Bathrooms

However, if you wish to purchase additional snacks, there is a fridge in which you can store them. Other drinks such as bottled water, coke and beer can be purchased at the Rest House. If you don’t want to purchase bottled water, then you can either use the boiled water that is available and let this cool, or ask the staff to boil some extra tap water and leave this to cool for you – once boiled, tap water is safe to drink. It is advisable to take your own hard-wearing bottle with you if you’d like to do this.

If you’re travelling as a couple or with a friend, please inform us at the time of booking, so that we can ensure you are sharing a room.

All sheets and linen are provided, along with towels. It is also advisable to take your own towel in case of onward or weekend travel (or to use as a beach towel if you need it).

Unfortunately there are no clothes washing facilities as such - but you will have a bucket in your room for hand washing. Alternatively, you can use the resorts "Laundry Service" where you pay per item but will receive your clothes folded in a pile! Most of the time you will do your washing by hand as the laundry service can end up being quite expensive – currently it costs RM 8 per kg of clothing (approx £1.60).

There is a computer with internet access at the Rest House (although it isn’t very fast), but no WiFi. The rate for internet is charged at approx RM 5 per half hour (higher than usual due to the location). However, there are nearby hotels that have WiFi and where you can use the internet at cheaper rates. If you go into Sandakan (which is 30 minutes away), you will be able to access plenty of internet cafes.

There is a safe at the Rest House in which you can store your valuables. It also has a mosquito repelling device, so you don’t need to take a mosquito net (unless you are travelling in the area afterwards).

You can use the following address to receive post whilst you are at Sepilok:

“Your name”

Sepilok Rest House

P O Box 3107,

90734 Sandakan

Sabah, Malaysia

Email sepilokr@tm.net.my

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There is a phone available at the Rest House for volunteers to use with their own prepaid phone card. Volunteers are given instructions on how to use it upon arrival at Sepilok. In order to make outgoing calls you should purchase an “I Talk” card (this is a pre-paid system allowing you to call overseas at a cheaper rate).

Please note that a CCTV camera is in place in the communal areas of the Rest House: the living room and outside the building.

The local staff are very friendly and we recommend that you get to know them as this will increase your enjoyment of the placement. We also recommend that you take some board games or packs of cards with you to keep you amused in the evenings. There is a TV and DVD player in the Rest House and in the afternoons you can use the parking lot for a game of badminton!

If you want to go out the nearest entertainment is in Sandakan (Mile 4) – a newly developed area. You will have to make your own

way there. Sandakan main town is about 30 minutes away by taxi (40+ mins on the bus, which can be irregular). Taxis to Sandakan

cost around 45 RM (approx £9). However, there are a couple of local hotels nearby and you can pay to use their gym and swimming

pool. Ask any of the staff at the Rest House and they will be happy to offer you some advice about places to go.

If you’re unfortunate enough to fall ill at any time, the people at the Orang-Utan Centre would be on hand to help you. Please also contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Ronn Majawin, to let her know.

PACKING CHECKLIST:

Essential Items:

Mobile / Cell phone – this is a requirement

At least 3 pairs of long trousers/pants dedicated to work duties (as will need to be washed daily to avoid contamination).

Wellington (rubber) boots – can be borrowed from the Centre or purchased locally

Recommended Items:

A good torch, along with replacement bulbs and batteries

A day pack (small ruck-sack)

A basic medical kit including; Plasters, Paracetamol, Medication for Diarrhoea, plenty of Insect repellant, Antiseptic cream, Suntan lotion etc. Although these drugs are usually available in the major cities you might not find the same brands that you are accustomed to using.

A Sterile Medical Pack (useful for emergencies)

Leech socks (for jungle trekking/survey work) – you can buy these in Sabah if you can’t get them beforehand.

Waterproof jacket and trousers (if taking part between Dec & Feb).

A Credit Card (VISA or MASTERCARD - if you have a pin number they are useful for cash in emergencies)

A Sleeping sheet if you are planning to travel after your placement (or even a sarong which can then double up as a sheet, towel etc - good for when you are short of space!!)

Decent footwear - a pair of walking boots (recommended for trekking in the jungle, but not essential – Wellington boots can also be worn).

A good travel guide, such as Lonely Planet, Footprint or The Rough Guide to help you plan any independent travel. Local staff can also advise you on places to see when you are there.

Cards or other games to keep you and other volunteers amused in the evenings.

DRESS CODE:

Malaysia is a hot country, with high humidity, so try to take lightweight clothing made of cotton. Alternatively, specialist sports fabrics tend to keep you cool and dry quickly so these are also an option. You will be provided with two t-shirts on arrival which you will be required to wear as a ‘uniform’ during working hours. Take comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting ruined as you are going to be doing physical work in the heat. At least during working hours, women should keep their shoulders and knees covered. You will be required to cover your legs at work, not only to prevent mosquito bites but also to protect your legs from other insects or dirt. Therefore you should try to take long trousers made of cotton and also items that are not too baggy and don’t have things like zips or other “dangly bits” – this is because the Orang-Utans try to pull these off and eat them! Leeches can also climb through the zips in trousers. Glasses can also be a problem, as the Orang-Utans will try to grab these, so if you need to wear glasses you may want to think about taking a band to keep them tight to your head or switching to contact lenses for this type of work, where possible.

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You will be asked to refrain from wearing the following during working hours only: jewellery, watches, perfume, insect repellent, sun cream and make-up. This rule has been set by the centre as a precaution for the Orang-Utans, who will often try to lick your skin and are therefore likely to ingest things like insect repellent, which is harmful to them. You will be able to wear insect repellent when jungle trekking but never when working hands on with the Orang-Utans. Instead take lots of bite relief cream and keep your legs, arms and ensure everywhere else covered with loose cotton clothing.

The wearing of Wellington boots is compulsory whilst you are working in the indoor and outdoor nurseries. You will either be able to borrow them from a supply in the centre, or you can buy your own once you are there for less than £10 at the local market. If you have very large feet please make sure that you arrange your footwear before leaving home. It is permissible to wear shorts in tourist areas but this may attract unwanted attention – please do not wear shorts during working hours. Out of work, you will have several occasions (such as dinner with staff at Sepilok) where, although you don’t need to “dress up”, you may want to take some nicer clothes.

Although we recommend taking walking boots (if you have them) for trekking in the jungle, if you don’t have them, you can wear Wellington boots or buy “jungle shoes” locally for about 10 RM (£2.00). We also recommend using leach socks in the jungle – these can be purchased locally before you start your work. We suggest that you take a waterproof jacket for trekking too, and if you are travelling during monsoon season (Dec-Feb), waterproof trousers.

If you are traveling during Monsoon season, you should take additional clothing as the humidity makes drying clothing difficult.

DONATIONS: If you would like to help Sepilok and have any space in your luggage they always appreciate help with the following donations; used

towels, heavy duty ‘kong’ toys or old hessian sacks.

ARRIVAL: YOUR induction to the country:

Please note, you will not start work until one week after your arrival. This is to ensure that any human ailments, such are colds, that you may be harbouring can be monitored closely and to ensure you are fully fit before your introduction to the Orang-Utans. As well as your induction and training, this first week will also give you the opportunity to recover from any jet lag, to get to know the other volunteers and also get used to the new culture and climate. All arrival dates are co-ordinated so that projects commence on a Monday.

Day 1: On your arrival in Malaysia you will be met at the airport by Ronn Majawin (Volunteer Co-ordinator) or one of the assistants and transferred to your accommodation at the Best Western Kota Kinabalu Hotel. This is a nice hotel where you will stay for the first two nights of your trip.

On day 2, you will have a free day in Kota Kinabalu, during which you can relax to get over your jet-lag, explore Kota Kinabalu or take advantage of one of our add-on day trips in the local area (additional charges apply). After dinner in the evening you will have a comprehensive induction with Albert (Travellers Country Manager). Here you will be given more information on your role and responsibilities as a conservation volunteer. Albert will also give you lots of advice about where to go and what to do so that you will make the most of this project!

On day 3, you will fly to Sandakan, accompanied by Ronn or another staff member, who will settle you into your accommodation at Sepilok

On day 4 you will be taken on a tour of Sandakan and will have the chance to familiarise yourself with the local area. This tour will include a visit to a Chinese temple and other local places of interest. Sandakan is the nearest main town to Sepilok and so this tour will give you a chance to see what facilities are available.

On days 5 and 6, you will begin your training at Sepilok Orang-Utan centre. Here you will be given some in-house training and be introduced to key personnel.

On day 7 you will have a free day, during which you can relax or get to know the local area a bit more, before starting work the next day.

At some point during this week you’ll have a ‘Welcome Dinner’ with some of the staff from the Sabah Wildlife Department.

You will start work 1 week after your arrival and work on a rotation system so that you experience each of the different areas of work at Sepilok, as described above. About 2/3 of your time will be spent working with the Orang-Utans (during which time you should have the opportunity to experience some hands-on work with them)’; about 1/3 of your time will be spent with Rangers, surveying the forest area and helping to support the conservation efforts at Sepilok. .

You will be required to work hard but the pace of life in Sabah is often much slower than in the UK, so you will be given plenty of opportunities to take breaks. Please have a look at the proposed work schedule at the end of this document for further details.

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IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE ORANG-UTAN PROJECT:

1) All projects are for a fixed period of 8 weeks and departures are every two months or thereabouts. Unfortunately it will not be possible to extend your stay on this particular project.

2) All volunteers must arrive in time for the Induction with Travellers Organiser (dates will be specified by Travellers). Unfortunately late arrivals cannot be accepted onto the project.

3) The cost of your placement includes all food, accommodation and an internal return flight to Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu. PLEASE NOTE: This flight is with domestic airline Air Asia who operate a baggage allowance of 15kg (+ 7kg hand luggage). If your checked-in baggage exceeds 15kg, you will be expected to pay excess baggage fees – this applies to both legs of the journey. You can upgrade your luggage allowance online once you have arrived in Malaysia and receive the flight details.

4) Volunteers should have a high level of physical fitness and be able to comfortably trek over a distance of 2-5km through uneven and often slippery terrain (in hot and humid conditions). You should also not be squeamish or scared of insects, snakes, etc.

5) The following, which are also included within the cost of your placement, are planned to take place, but are subject to confirmation and individual elements may change:

Welcome and Farewell Dinners

Sandakan Tour around places of local interest.

Rainforest Carbon Off-set (tree-planting) Project and Lake Cruise/Wildlife viewing (involving an overnight stay).

2 Sepilok/Travellers T- Shirts (no additional cost – these will be given to you on your arrival). Please note - extra T-shirts are not available.

Adoption of an Orang-Utan at Sepilok for one year. Details of the Orang-Utan that has been adopted for you will be emailed to you prior to your departure.

COUPLES AND GROUPS: This project consists of 12 volunteers, in 3 groups of 4. Volunteers are allocated into groups prior to arrival based on the following criteria;

Age range

Perceived compatibility based on information provided by you

Members of the same group generally will not share the same room.

Once the groups have been allocated they are not changeable. This project is about team work and learning to work with your peers, whoever they may be.

We sometimes arrange for couples to be allocated to the same group. If you are travelling as part of a couple and you would like to be allocated to the same group please let us know with as much notice as possible prior to your departure. If you are travelling independently there is a chance that you may be allocated into the same group as a couple.

If you don’t want to be allocated into the same group as a couple, please also let us know with as much notice as possible prior to your departure. We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s wishes but the emphasis here is on team work and learning to mix with people from all backgrounds and we hope that you understand this.

ADDITIONAL EXCURSIONS AVAILABLE

Before, during and after your placement you will have the opportunity to take part in several excursions. These are arranged through a local freelance tour guide and are optional. There will be an additional charge to participate. Further details of the add-on trips available can be found on our website within the Malaysia pages (under ‘Optional Add-ons’). Please note that some of these trips must be booked 3 months prior to your project starting.

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following rules and regulations should be read in conjunction with the terms and conditions of your programme.

Code of Conduct

It is very important that your behaviour and conduct is in keeping with that which is considered to be acceptable. The

following list is not exhaustive but is given as a guideline to how you are expected to behave and conduct yourself whilst

on your programme.

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You Should: Behave appropriately, with co-operation and with consideration for one another. Treat everyone equally and with respect regardless of differing culture, ability, race, gender, age, religion, sexual

orientation, disability or social class. Remain mindful of cultural differences. Act in a manner which does not bring the project and / or Travellers into disrepute. Abide by the rules and regulations of the project. Take responsibility for your own safety and to look after yourself and your belongings, and to never put yourself at

risk. Act in accordance with the law of the land.

You Must Not:

Damage or deliberately misuse any equipment / resources provided to you. This includes using equipment /

resources responsibly i.e. avoiding wastage (e.g. turning off lights and water).

Be under the influence of drugs or banned substances whilst on your programme. You must not be under the

influence of alcohol whilst participating at your project – this includes being hung-over from the night before!

ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITY

This is a serious programme; it takes a lot of different people giving their time and energy to arrange your programme,

so please don’t think that you can treat it casually –

You will be expected to stick to the schedule that’s been arranged for you.

You should make every effort to turn up in good time and to attend as scheduled.

Naturally this does not apply if you’re ill. See the section below on ‘Sickness’ for more details.

TAKING TIME OFF

If you would like to take a day off from your project –

This is a serious placement so please don’t think that because you’re a volunteer, you can treat it casually. If you want to take a day off work, please request permission from the Manager at Sepilok (Sylvia). When applying for permission, you should give plenty of advance notice – this is so that the centre can reschedule their work time table or arrange someone to stand in for you. You can only take days off work once you have received permission to do so.

If this rule is broken, you will be liable to having your placement terminated without recompense. It is imperative to the continuation of your individual placement and for those of volunteers in the future that you do the work that has been assigned to you. You will have plenty of free time off over the other days in which you can enjoy all of the opportunities that Sabah has to offer.

The same procedure applies to ending your placement early. If you feel you would prefer to cut your placement short in order to do some travelling or for any other reason, please ask permission from Sylvia and Ronn well in advance. There will be no financial refund on cutting your placement short.

HYGIENE AND SAFETY Primates are very susceptible to human diseases and there are diseases which humans can catch from them. Because of their close DNA relationship to humans, the cross-passage of disease is critical. Sepilok has strict hygiene and safety rules in place – these include the wearing of dedicated work clothing. In addition, during your working placement you will be required to wear face masks and disposable latex gloves for much of the time. Nitrile gloves will be provided for those with a latex allergy, but the wearing of these items is not optional. Failure to comply will mean that you will not be able to undertake work with the Orang-Utans.

SICKNESS

If you are sick and unable to attend your programme –

Please inform your project as soon as possible. This is very important as the project will need to time to reorganize

the work / activity, and they may also need to arrange for someone to stand in for you whilst you are off. And if they

can’t make alternative arrangements they may be forced to cancel the work / activity – in which case they may need

to let people know in advance.

Please also inform your project and Travellers’ In-Country Representative as soon as possible. This is important as

they may need to liaise with your project. And of course, they will unable to help in anyway if they don’t know that

you are ill.

As soon as you can, let your project know when you think you will be well-enough to come back – this is important

as it may take some time for all the necessary arrangements to be made ready for you to return to your project.

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Please note that if you persistently don’t turn up due to illness, you may be asked to see and doctor and / or be

required to produce a doctor’s certificate confirming.

If you have any problems or if you need any help or guidance, please don’t hesitate to speak to Ronn or Albert – they are very nice and will do their very best to help you. We have had lots of volunteers in Malaysia and they have completed their projects successfully and with a lot of enjoyment – we have no doubt that you will also thoroughly enjoy your time in the country.

WHILE ON YOUR PLACEMENT: Please complete the feedback forms as requested in your documentation – alternatively, please email the feedback to us (email address below).

Also, when you have been on your placement for about four weeks, could you send us “A typical day in the life of my placement”. These reports are invaluable to us in that they enable us to continually expand and improve our projects, as well as being a source of additional information which can be very helpful to future volunteers.

If you want to enter any photos into our competition please email them to us. Many thanks.

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Appendix 1: Sepilok Proposed Work Schedule – November 2012 onwards

W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7 W8

MON Arrival in KK.

Check-in Best

Western

G1/O&E G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

Day Off

G1/C G2/O&E+L

G3/H

G1/O&E+N G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

G1/C G2/O&E

G3/H

TUE WW or TB (or Free

Day) Evening Induction

G1/O&E G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

Day Off

Day Off

Day Off

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

G1/C G2/O&E

G3/H

WED Fly to

Sandakan (Sepilok

Resthouse)

G1/O&E

G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

G1/C

G2/O&E G3/H

G1/O&E

G2/H G3/C

Day Off

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E+N

G1/C

G2/O&E G3/H

THUR ST

G1/O&E

G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

G1/C

G2/O&E G3/H

G1/O&E

G2/H G3/C

Day Off

Day Off

G1/C

G2/O&E+N G3/H

FRI Sepilok

In-house training (Part 1)

G1/O&E

G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

G1/C

G2/O&E G3/H

G1/O&E

G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

Day Off

Day Off

SAT Sepilok

In-house training (Part 2)

G1/O&E+L

G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E+L

G1/C

G2/O&E G3/H

G1/O&E

G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

G1/C

G2/O&E G3/H

Fly to KK

(Best Western Hotel)

SUN Free Day

Day Off

Day Off

G1/C

G2/O&E G3/H

G1/O&E

G2/H G3/C

G1/H G2/C

G3/O&E

G1/C

G2/O&E G3/H

Depart

from KK

Organised Activities:

ST: Sandakan City Tour

RC: Rainforest Carbon Offset Project

Add-On Activities:

WW: White Water Rafting

TB: Tip Of Borneo/Cultural Village

TI: Turtle Island Trip (takes place during days off)

Work Area:

O&E=Orangutan Jungle Survey & Enrichment

H=Outdoor Nursery

C=Indoor Nursery

L=Local Culinary Experience

N=Nocturnal Jungle Survey

Please note, this is a “proposed” work schedule and individual elements may be subject to change

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Appendix 2: Example of dishes available at the Rest House:

Fried Indian Noodles (Meat / Vegetarian)

Fried Singapore Mee Hood (Meat / Vegetarian)

Pineapple Fried Rice (Meat / Vegetarian)

Sepilok Fried Rice (Meat / Vegetarian)

Chicken Chops (Chips / Mashed Potatoes)

Fish & Chips

Fried Egg Chip/Mashed & Beans

Chicken Curry

Ginger & Onion Sauce (Fish/ Prawn / Chicken)

Sweet & Sour Sauce (Fish / Prawn / Chicken / Veggie)

Veg Curry

Burger with Cheese and chips (Chicken / Beef)

Vegetarian Burger with chips

Omelet with chips (Plain / Cheese / Tomato / Onion)

Soup Mee Hoon (Meat / Vegetarian)

Tom Yam Soup (Meat / Vegetarian)

Fried Noodles

Pataya Fried Rice

Chicken Bread Crumbs, chips & beans

Lamb Chops (Chips / Mashed Potatoes)

Tomato Garlic Sauce (Chicken / Prawn / Veggie)

Oyster Sauce (Chicken / Fish / Prawn / Veggie)

Toasted Sandwich (Cheese / Tuna / Egg)

Banjo (Egg Burger) with Chips

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Appendix 3: Sepilok Contract – To be signed upon arrival

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SOME OF THE STAFF AT SEPILOK:

Doctor Laura (Vet) and Elis (above)

Both manage the day to day running of the Centre and oversees the volunteer programme.

Amoy (above)

Assists Doctor Laura and Elis and liaises closely with volunteers. Should you need any help or have any questions during you time at Sepilok.

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Some the other Sepilok staff

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!

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