The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre was established in 1975 to care for wild animals which have either been found injured in the forest, orphaned, or were previously kept as illegal pets. The centre is situated within the boundaries of the Semenggoh Nature Reserve, approximately 24 km from Kuching.
When established, the three main aims of the Centre were:
•To rehabilitate wild animals who have been injured, orphaned in the wild or handicapped by
•prolonged captivity, with the objective of subsequently releasing them back to the wild.
•To conduct research on wildlife and captive breeding programmes for endangered species.
•To educate visitors and the general public about the importance of conservation.
As a result of its success, Semenggoh’s role has changed and it is nowadays a centre for the study of orang utan biology and behaviour, as well as a safe and natural haven for dozens of semi-wild orang utan, graduates of the rehabilitation programme. It is also home to numerous baby orang utan, born in the wild to rehabilitated mothers, a further testament to the success of the programme.
A visit to Semenggoh is a once in a lifetime experience - a chance to see semi-wild orang utan, ranging from tiny infants and boisterous adolescents to dignified mature adults, enjoying life in a secure natural habitat.
The orang utan (pongo pygmaeus) is found in the rainforests of Malaysian Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah), Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan) and North Sumatra. It is one of the world’s largest primates, and is almost completely arboreal (tree living). The word “orang” is Malay for “person” whilst “utan” is derived from “hutan” meaning forest. Thus, orang utan literally translates as “person of the forest”.
Getting There
From Kuching, take Sarawak Transport Company bus No. 6 which stops outside the main gate, from here it is a 20 minute walk to the Centre. The last return bus to Kuching is at 1700 hrs. Visitors can also take a taxi from the main taxi stand in Kuching, or from outside their hotel. Local travel Agents also run guided tours to Semenggoh.
Tour Price : around RM 100 - RM 150
Feeding Times
0900 hrs – 1000 hrs and 1500 hrs – 1530 hrs
(Go early... Normally they will come out around 9)
Don't Go during Fruits Season...
They seldom come out during Fruits Season because they can find their own food in the forest.
Source from
Richie - Oldest Male
Seduku - oldest Orang Utan and also the mother to many other younger orang utans.
Delima - Hot MaMa - great attacker
