Semenggoh Sad Sad Center

12 years ago, I came to Semenggoh in Kuching Sarawak with my son. It was one of the best places to visit then, as you have the opportunity to witness the habitat of the Orang Utans. That time, visitors were also allowed to touch and take pictures with the animals. I cannot remember how much the entry fee was but we did have fun.

Semenggoh is located approximately 20 km away from Kuching, and it took us 30 minutes by road to reach there. The current entry fee is RM60.00 per person, irrespective if you were a student or otherwise, so for the two angels and me, we had to pay RM180.00. We were told that the best time to visit the Semenggoh rehabilitation center would be during the feeding time, normally held at 0900 hours in the morning or 1500 hours in the evening.

We chartered a private car to take us there, with the hope that we will return happily educated about the animals. Semenggoh is an organization that attempts to rehabilitate Orang utans and later letting them out to the wild again. At the entrance to the feeding area, we were given a briefing on the dos and don’ts while we were watching them eating. Although the Orang utans are semi-wild, they still know where and when they can go for food. We were so confident that we will get to see them.

When the warden brought the food and started calling for them, everyone present was very quite as instructed. Aimed with non flashed camera everyone wanted to capture a piece of memory. About 10 minutes from the calling one Orang utan came to eat, all cameras were on him, the waiting time continued with the hope that at least a few more will appear, however after half an hour everyone left as the only Orang utan had gone back to the jungle, while no one else came forward.

On the way home, the driver told us that during the fruit seasons, most of the Orang Utans will not come for the feed. Obviously, who will if they were being fed with the same food 365 days a year.

We felt cheated for the amount of time taken traveling to Semenggoh, the high fees and seeing that most part of the rehabilitation center has been constructed for picnic areas. Visitors should have the rights to be properly informed.

I support the reason the center was set up initially, but now people are only thinking of making money more than anything else. Turning the jungle concrete with the money collected from the visitors is pure robbery.

SCDC ……… ?????