Centre welcomes new addition to its orangutan population

KUCHING: Semenggoh Wildlife Centre (SWC) welcomes a new addition to its orangutan population at the centre when an infant orangutan named ‘Sigat’ was born there recently.

Sarawak Forestry Corporation Sdn Bhd (SFCSB) in its press release said, back in March this year, lurking between the lush canopy of the forest at SWC, after days of no-show, one particular female orangutan finally appeared, this time, with her newborn baby clinging tightly and seen for the very first time.

It was greeted with glee as great sense of anticipation turns into a thriumphant showcase of yet another sign of a viable breeding population of semiwild orangutan at the centre as it was a sight to behold indeed since the last birth at the centre was in 2016.

When it was reported back then, the public at large, shares the delight that Sarawak is doing fine on the conservation front for orangutan.

For SFCSB, that day on March 27, 2018, etched nicely as another milestone in its conservation efforts of orangutan in Sarawak.

SWC’s new resident number 30, a male infant of the 16-yearold orangutan named Sadamiah, is now the third generation of orangutan at the centre. Sadamiah now has two offsprings, having had also produced one five years ago. Since its establishment in 1975, SWC has successfully released 11 orangutans thereat and with the new addition, a total of 24 offsprings is now recorded to date.

In sharing this good news and how matters related to wildlife conservation, particularly orangutan, is high on the Sarawak agenda, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, has even come to the fore recently by naming the infant orangutan ‘Sigat’.

The word ‘sigat’ which is from the Iban language means handsome, smart, beautiful, diligent while never fails to impress, is also largely used by other ethics in Sarawak in such context.

“On the perspective of conservation, the term ‘sigat’ could not be more appropriate to signify the beauty and majesty of orangutan and reflects the success of SWC as a centre for orangutan rehabilitation for these endangered Borneon orangutan. In the bigger scale, it is an impressive testimony of the achievement and continuous success for Sarawak on wildlife conservation front,” the press release added.

The public, on the other hand, can be part of this noble initiative through the orangutan adoption programme.

It enables ‘adoption’ of specific orangutan for a year by contributing annual amount of RM200 for individual and RM10,000 for corporate bodies or companies.

Proceeds from the programme will be used to fund conservation activities and the rehabilitation of wildlife in Sarawak.

For adoption, please contact Semenggoh Wildlife Centre at 082-618325 or SFCSB’s Corporate Office at 082-610088