SYDNEY CHRISTNER

One of my favorite parts about traveling is interacting with local individuals. While studying abroad in Sarawak, Malaysia, I had the privilege of meeting a struggling mother-son duo whose story I will never forget. 

Catherine, a 32-year-old, suffers from vertigo and a fear of heights. Despite this, she still enjoys exploring and playing with her son, Leo. At 2 years old, Leo is curious and adventurous, enjoying activities like popping bubbles and playing with cardboard boxes. 

Catherine and Leo do not live easy lives. While some compassionate advocates support them in overcoming hardships, government welfare and general aid are far from sufficient to help them thrive. Many local people frown upon individuals like Catherine and Leo, lacking empathy and failing to understand why they are entitled to assistance. 

Perhaps the reason they lack the attention needed to achieve a better quality of life is because they are not like you and me. They are not human — they are orangutans. 

Now housed at Matang Wildlife Centre to receive rehabilitative care, Catherine and Leo face hardships preventing them from living naturally in the wild. Catherine’s vertigo prevents her from climbing, which is an essential skill to survive as a wild orangutan. Since Leo was born to Catherine in captivity, he lacks the experience needed to develop critical wild behaviors. 

Although Catherine and Leo entered Matang for biological and circumstantial reasons, others at Matang entered as human exploitation victims. For instance, Selina, formerly known as Shirley, was raised in an unethical zoo where tourists threw cigarettes at her. Curious by nature, she smoked the cigarettes and developed a nicotine addiction before coming into Matang’s care. 

Orangutans, like all endangered species, are not just remarkable animals — they are vital to preserving healthy ecosystems and maintaining ecological balances that support all life, including humans. 

Protecting them is a global responsibility. Governments must shift practices to better support endangered species populations, and the global public must sustain this support by holding governments accountable. 

Rehabilitation centers like Matang work to provide maximum quality of life for those like Catherine and Leo, while also reversing human harm that impacts others like Selina. However, despite Matang’s dedication, the sanctuary lacks the resources necessary to allow every animal to thrive.

The Malaysian government, and other governments around the world, further hinder rehabilitation work by misappropriating funds and overstepping the authority of wildlife experts. Meanwhile, the public remains unaware, failing to recognize why efforts to protect animals on the other side of the globe deserve their time and support.

Governments can most effectively support wildlife rehabilitation efforts through appropriate and strategic funding. 

At Matang, government funding has been misallocated, funding large construction initiatives, like a new visitor center, while animal enclosures remain outdated and surrounding wild habitats continue to deteriorate. Although visitor centers can play an important role in tourism, projects of this cost and scale do not significantly enhance the visitor experience at Matang and do little to improve animal care. 

 Governments must prioritize funding to address more urgent needs that directly improve animal welfare and wild habitat protection. Funding only benefits rehabilitation when it is used in meaningful and impactful ways.

Since government officials often lack specialized expertise to understand complex rehabilitation needs, they should defer decisions about funding and rehabilitative care to the trained conservation professionals employed at these facilities. When governments try to interfere without consulting experts, their involvement becomes an obstacle, rather than a source of support.

While governments must work internally to properly support rehabilitation centers, responsibility does not end there. The general public plays an equally critical role in determining whether centers like Matang succeed. 

When the public makes it clear that rehabilitation and animal conservation matter, governments are far more likely to act. If government support falls short, public advocacy can be just as powerful, if not stronger, in driving change.

Individuals can support rehabilitation centers in many meaningful ways. Donations can be made from anywhere across the globe, and for those who do not have the financial means to donate, raising awareness (through social media, for example) brings much-needed attention to these sanctuaries. 

Rehabilitation centers also rely heavily on dedicated staff, and volunteering offers both a life-changing personal experience and a meaningful contribution to wildlife care. These facilities seek out volunteers from all over the world who are eager to participate in unparalleled exploration opportunities while making a real difference for endangered species populations.

Even without the ability to donate or volunteer directly onsite, speaking out, sharing information and advocating for wildlife conservation sends a clear message to governments that rehabilitation must be a priority. The public must hold governments accountable when their actions negatively interfere with these efforts. 

Staying educated about the harms of illegal pet ownership, unethical zoos and animal-based entertainment is a crucial first step. By choosing not to support exploitative attractions, individuals can stand up to human practices that endanger wildlife. 

Endangered animals like Catherine and Leo depend on the choices we make now. Without action, they will never have the chance to live as they should. It is a global responsibility for us all to take proper measures to protect our endangered species before it is too late. 

Sydney Christner is the managing opinion editor at The Review. Her opinions are her own and do not represent the majority opinion of The Review staff. She may be reached at sydrc@udel.edu.