The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre (SOURC) is world-famous as the place to meet the “man of the forest.” Around 60 to 80 orphaned and injured orangutans live freely inside a protected slice of the Sepilok forest reserve.

Located about 30 minutes from Sandakan town, SOURC sits opposite the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Established in 1964, it was the first official orangutan rehabilitation centre in the world. The centre rescues orphaned infants and injured orangutans from logging sites, plantations, or the illegal pet trade. Surrounded by 4,294 hectares of Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve, it serves as a safe haven and natural classroom for orangutans.