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Message: <blockquote data-quote="James Lowther" data-source="post: 2771620" data-attributes="member: 9107">just a minor defence of the rehab centre, (not trying to influence frogfish's itinerary particularly as RDC is certainly preferable for birding purposes) while it's undoubtedly not a great place to go birding, and particularly not to photograph birds by the sounds of it(!), it's (IMO) a worthwhile project, a nice place and a good experience, and it is certainly not a "zoo" in any sense of the word i understand it (and i like zoos anyway...). The orangs that can be seen at the feeding station are rehabilitated orphans that have been released and live an unrestrained life in a large forest reserve (~40km2, extending up to the RDC), returning occasionally to the centre to take advantage of the free supplementary food. Are they truly wild?? maybe not but i'd be considering it carefully if i hadn't seen them in Danum Valley and Kinabatangan, particularly as we saw at least one infant which must have been born in the wild. The small part of the site that is open to visitors is admittedly very popular with tourists but as with all mainstream nature attractions the bulk of the crowds disperse pretty fast and you're able to enjoy the orangs in relative peace.  And if you do go take your binox too (even if you leave your long lens at home!) as we saw both bristlehead and giant squirrel, although neither very well admittedly.cheers,james</blockquote>