Best Practices

Orang-utans are more arboreal than any other African apes and they spend almost their entire life high up in the forest canopy. In a natural situation, they rarely go to the ground and close contact with human visitors is unlikely. Therefore, strict compliance with this set of guidelines developed by Red Ape Encounters (RAE) must be followed by all visitors entering the RAE's site to minimize stress and disturbance to the Orang-utans at the study site.

IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE DISTURBANCE TO THE ORANG-UTANS AND TO THEIR NATURAL HABITAT AS WELL AS TO FULLY APPRECIATE THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A FEW MOMENTS OF A WILD ORANG-UTAN'S LIFE, IT IS COMPULSORY THAT ALL VISITOR STRICTLY FOLLOW AND COMPLY WITH RAE STAFF'S INSTRUCTIONS.

The following rules are to be abided by visitors to ensure safety of both the Orang-utan and the people.

RULE 1: Visitors to the study site is limited to seven (7) visitors per visit (RAE staff not included)
Reasons:
# control the risk of human impacts
# optimise the encounter and viewing opportunities for tourists

RULE 2: Duration of viewing an Orang-utan is limited to a maximum of one (1) hour unless special permission is granted for specific reasons
Reasons:
# reduce Orang-utan exposure to potential germ-carrying people
# minimize behavioural disturbance and associated stress to the animals

Note: If Orang-utans are not visible when the visitors arrive at the site, they can wait in stand-by with their guide at a minimum of 100 meters from the tree where the animal stays.

RULE 3: Frequency of visits is limited to two (2) visits per day to one habituated Orang-utan
Reasons:
# minimize stress for the animals
# minimize the negative impacts of heavy human presence on the natural environment (such as trampling,
disturbance to the ecosystem & etc)

RULE 4: People who are sick are not allowed to visit the Orang-utan
Reasons:
# minimize risks of disease transmission

Note: Tourists are asked to self-report any sickness to the RAE staff and their visit can be rescheduled. In case of obvious sign of respiratory infection, the visitor will be asked to wear a mask (provided by RAE) during the close encounter with the Orang-utan. RAE staff can refuse a visit to any visitor showing obvious signs of disease.

RULE 5: Distance to view the Orang-utan is not closer than 10 meters from an Orang-utan for healthy people and not closer than 20 meters from the Orang-utan for people that shows obvious signs of respiratory disease
Reasons:
# minimize risks of disease transmission

RULE 6: Adopt an appropriate behaviour during the close contact with the Orang-utan
Reasons:
# minimize the stress and disturbance to the animals

Proper behaviours:
# refrain from smoking, eating, sneezing and coughing in the presence of Orang-utans.
# visitors should remain within a group without loosing contact with the RAE staff.
# where possible, visitors should sit whilst watching the apes.
# body language is important and visitors should stay as quiet as possible during their entire visit (no screaming,
no brutal movement, no running, etc…).
# show respect to the animals and try to remain as silent as possible.
# do not clear vegetation to get a better view of the Orang-utans.
# do not stare at the Orang-utan and do not use binoculars, photographic lenses and/or video cameras if the
animals are disturbed. When the Orang-utan is disturbed, it makes kiss-squeak vocalizations.
# do not try to approach an Orang-utan (especially a newcomer) unless a guide is with you.
# no flash at all time since this can scare away a wild Orang-utan.

RULE 7: Adopt an appropriate behaviour during all time in the forest
Reasons:
# minimize disturbance to the ecosystem

Proper behaviours:
# all faecal material and papers must be disposed by burying it in a cathole
# littering is strictly prohibited at RAE site and all non-organic type of rubbish must be brought out of the forest
# do not disturb or collect any living organism from the forest (such as flowers, insects, seeds & etc)