Visitors to Matang Wildlife dropped to 38,000 last year
LUNDU: The Matang Wildlife Centre ( MWC) here used to receive over 60,000 visitors annually since it was opened to the public in 2000.
Its manager Siali Aban, however, revealed that the number has continued to drop in most years since then.
“Last year, we had about 38,000 visitors. About 90 per cent of our visitors are locals,” he told journalists at MWC here yesterday.
Earlier, he led Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia chief executive officer Tomoyuki Shinnishi and Sarawak Forestry Corporation chief executive officer Wong Ting Chung on a tour of the centre after Shinnishi handed over a Triton pick-up truck.
Siali said that while most visitors came for the orangutans, the centre also has other protected animals.
According to him, there are now 30 orangutans at MWC, of which 17 are in captivity while the other 13 are out in the wild.
“We do not programme the feeding time for those in the wild, but they are still in the area of Kubah National Park, covering 2,230 hectares.”
The oldest orangutan at MWC is 32-year- old Peter whilst the youngest is Triton, newly born last Sunday.
In Kubah National Park alone, Siali continued, 10 species of pitcher plants and 60 species of frogs could be found.
He added that MWC is also popular for bird watching activities and has five species of hornbills, all originated in Sarawak.
The centre also offers sites for picnic, camping and lodging with many conducting workshops and social gatherings.
Asked if the centre had been affected by any leptospirosis cases, he said: “We are safe here. The case speculated by people was not confirmed by the authorities.”
The centre is open daily between 8am and 5pm.
Malaysians aged 18 and above pay RM10 per person while nonMalaysians aged 18 and above pay RM20.
Children aged 6 to 17 are charged RM3 each while those younger can enter free.