MonoMonday #60

Strength

Making our way back to the mainland I wasn't sure how I would capture 'strength' today. Having witnessed one of the earths oldest animals & today heading out to see 2 of the worlds most endangered animals. Strength today, is about how to survive & thrive. But without a means to transfer the images from my other camera - here are 2 of the worlds greatest forces. Sun & sea.

Monday
Engine trouble on our boat, a slow trip back to Sandakan...thankful the swell is low with time to blipwrite.

On the way to breakfast this morning were 3 new baskets of hatchlings awaiting release. The rangers were still to get to them when we left before the sun heats up. If they are strong, they make it out to sea safely.

LAST NIGHTS STATS;
11turtles came to shore, 6 nested
First turtle arrived at 19:50. 20:40 was first nesting. .
366 eggs collected & 121 hatchlings released.
This year 332 turtles have nested on Selingan Island, 3400 since January last year.

ORANGUTANG
Over 4000ha of protected forest in this area for orangutan & sun bear parks.
Infants have around the clock care
Nursery is for learning how to be an orangutan - look for food, climb the ropes & build strength.
They only give the public access from afar - it's about rehab rather than breeding. They are teaching them to be independent rather than show-offs.
You can see the personalities in each. Some are any. Others dominant. Some are just naughty & cheeky & usually the ones you get caught up watching the longest.

Lunch & check in to Sepilok Jungle Resort for the night. A quick chance to recharge the camera & phone batteries. Oh so many photos to take.
Down to the SunBear conservation park. How cute are they. Again displaced by people logging & wanting the Cubs as pets but as they grow so do their claws & they are no longer as cute (growing up to 150cm & 60kg)
Back to see the orang-utan video - you can appreciate the work they do. MYR200 for a yearly adoption.
Another chance to watch them feed. This time we were graced to see 2 mother & baby showing them how to eat & drink from the milk tray. No cheeky monkeys this time.
Time for a swim & headed back for the night walk tour.
5 junior orang-utans were still playing outside the nursery. We got to just stand & watch just metres from us. Talk about naughty.
Onto find 2 viper snakes, a lot of scorpions, some giant flying squirrels & a leech that had arched himself to SS.
Stopped for a drink at a lovely establishment just outside the gates.