Baboon, BJ, and Adam: Attracting Tourists to Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island
By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation has emerged as a global ecotourism destination, capturing the interest of visitors, particularly foreign tourists.
Orang Utan Island is situated in Laketown Bukit Merah, serving as a premier centre for the protection, breeding, conservation, research, and education on orangutans in the state of Perak.
To reach the island, visitors must take a boat from the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort jetty, which takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Upon arriving at the Orang Utan Island jetty, visitors are warmly greeted by staff and given a brief explanation about the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation before getting a closer look at the real-life orangutan habitat.
14 orangutans are being cared for on the island, following their original habitat lifestyle.
However, not all are allowed to roam freely. Some must stay within fenced areas due to being too aggressive and unpredictable.
A tourist from France, Argiles Baro Roc, mentioned one of the reasons why he chose Orang Utan Island as a holiday destination in Perak was that he wanted to learn and see for himself the natural habitat of orangutans.
“I am very excited and impressed by the efforts of the management of Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation in conserving this endangered species.
“This is a commendable effort in protecting orangutans from extinction. I gained a lot of new experiences, especially about the care of Orang Utans, which are members of the ‘great ape’ family found in Asia.
“I got to know Baboon, aged 37; BJ, 38, and Adam, 21, who are healthy and occasionally pose as if they know we are taking selfies with them. This is something very enjoyable, and I will surely miss them.
“I hope this effort continues because, in this way, tourists gain various useful knowledge and can enjoy the unique and amazing appearance of Orang Utans clearly,” he told Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic, who attended with his partner.
Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation was established on January 29, 2009, to be a reference centre for research on the ex-situ conservation of Orang Utans.
For ticket bookings and further information, please contact +605-890 8110 and +6019-578 3015 or visit the website www.pulauorangutan.com.
