From the arrival of an adorable new porcupette to heartwarming updates on the orangutan family and big renovations across the centre, it’s been an extraordinary year for The Great Orangutan Project in Borneo. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, countless projects have come to life, each one making a direct and lasting difference to the welfare of the animals at Matang Wildlife Centre.
Here’s a look back at some recent Matang moments!
A Spiky New Arrival: Meet the porcupine pup
Recently, The Great Orangutan Project welcomed an adorable new resident, a Bornean porcupette!
Native to the rainforests of Borneo, these gentle rodents play a crucial role in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds as they forage for bark, roots, fruits, and leaves.
Sadly, Bornean porcupines are often hunted for bezoars, rare “porcupine stones”, wrongly believed to have healing powers. These can sell for thousands on the black market, putting wild populations under increasing threat.
Matang Wildlife Centre is already home to several rescued porcupines, and the newest arrival is settling in beautifully. Still too young to be released, the little one is being carefully monitored by the team, growing stronger each day under their watchful eyes.
With the help of volunteers, this tiny newcomer has a safe start in life and a second chance to one day return to the forest where porcupines belong.
Carlos’ enclosure makeover
From sanding and painting to carpentry and concrete mixing, hands-on projects give volunteers practical conservation skills while directly improving animal welfare. It’s a true team effort that benefits both people and wildlife. Beloved orangutan Carlos just got a complete enclosure makeover, thanks to the incredible hard work of our volunteers! Every inch was freshly painted, cleaned, and upgraded to create a fun, enriching space for Carlos to explore.
With new climbing spots, enrichment toys, and sky-high platforms, he’s loving his upgraded home, and of course, he still enjoys watching the volunteers hard at work from his favourite perch!
Catching up with Catherine and baby Leo
One of the most inspiring residents, Catherine, has come such a long way since her rescue in 2009. She arrived at the Matang Wildlife Centre underweight and traumatised after years in illegal captivity, but her transformation has been incredible.
Then, in November 2023, Catherine gave birth to Baby Leo, a joyful surprise for the team! While the centre doesn’t actively breed animals, nature had other ideas. Catherine has been a loving and attentive mother, teaching Leo everything he needs to thrive with a little help from her friends, Doris and Changgau.
Transforming an enclosure for a new resident
This week, the volunteer team came together to transform an enclosure in preparation for a special new resident: a stunning Bornean pigeon in need of rehabilitation. After a thorough deep clean, a fresh coat of paint, the addition of sturdy new perches for enrichment, and foliage gathered from the surrounding jungle, the space has been turned into a safe and stimulating sanctuary!
Sunbear enrichment
Every sun bear at the Matang Wildlife Centre has a story of survival. Rescued from the illegal pet trade and the brutal bile extraction industry, these bears have endured hardships no animal should ever experience. Sadly, sun bears are notoriously difficult to reintroduce to the wild, and due to the trauma they experienced before being rescued, these bears will need lifelong care at the centre.
Volunteers play a vital role in their daily care. One of the most rewarding activities involves hiding treats such as honey and porridge throughout the enclosure, encouraging the bears to forage, explore, and express their natural instincts and behaviours.
Ghanti’s Visit: A true conservation success story
Few stories capture the spirit of The Great Orangutan Project like that of Ghanti. Once a resident of Matang Wildlife Centre, she underwent full rehabilitation before being successfully released into the surrounding rainforest.
Today, Ghanti lives freely in the wild but occasionally visits the centre to say hi and steal some snacks, and last week, she came along with her baby! Having already raised one independent youngster, she’s now a proud mother of two, proving that successful rehabilitation leads to lasting freedom!
Feeling Festive: Pumpkin carving enrichment
Most recently of all, to get in the Halloween spirit, volunteers carved some pumpkins for a fun enrichment treat to give to the orangutans!
These spooky treats have been packed full of fruit, veg, nuts and seeds, so we're sure they'll be a hit with the orangutans!
Volunteer at The Great Orangutan Project
Volunteering on The Great Orangutan Project is more than just caring for the animal residents; it’s a chance to see conservation in action, to witness firsthand the powerful bond between people and wildlife, and to become part of a movement protecting Borneo’s incredible biodiversity.
Every day brings something new, whether it’s building enrichment toys, helping maintain enclosures, preparing food for orangutans, or learning from experienced wildlife professionals. Volunteers don’t just observe change; they create it, leaving a lasting impact on the animals, the forest, and themselves. All this while meeting fun and interesting people who share the same passion for wildlife conservation, adventure, and enjoying unique experiences!
Join us in Borneo, and discover how even the smallest acts of compassion can make a world of difference!
