KUCHING: The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Malaysia, His Excellency Md Shahidul Islam, adopted Mas – the youngest orangutan in the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre here today.
Md Shahidul adopted the great ape during his visit to the world-famous orangutan sanctuary, where he voiced how impressed he was by the conservation efforts being carried out at the centre.
The High Commissioner became Mas’s 69th adopter and sponsor.
“With this, we are a step closer to our target of 100 adopters for Mas,” said a Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) spokesman.
Mas was named after the three-letter abbreviation code for Malaysia, as she is believed to have been born on Sept 16, Malaysia Day, last year.
The SFC threw a birthday party for Mas last Saturday, which attracted more than 40 adopters for the little orangutan.
“Apart from raising funds for our conservation programme, (having) 100 adopters will raise awareness on the importance of wildlife conservation,” said the spokesman.
There are 28 orangutan, aged between 1 and 46, at the centre, which, with its sister facility Matang Wildlife Centre, offers the Orangutan Adoption Programme, allowing members of the public to adopt a Borneo great ape.
Members of the public can adopt an orangutan for one year by contributing RM200, while companies can sponsor their own great ape for RM10,000 a year.
Proceeds from the programme will be used to fund conservation activities and rehabilitation of wildlife.