Matang sits on the edge of Kubah National Park and does the harder, less photogenic half of Sarawak's orangutan work: rehabilitating animals rescued from captivity, many of which cannot simply be released. Alongside the orangutans it holds sun bears, hornbills, crocodiles and sambar deer in forest enclosures.
It is the natural companion piece to Semenggoh, and the contrast is instructive. Semenggoh's residents are semi-wild and turn up at a feeding platform when they feel like it; Matang's are in care. Visitors who want to understand what rehabilitation actually involves get more from Matang than from an hour at a platform.
