KUCHING: The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is expanding its Adopt An Orang Utan initiative to Singapore to promote its conservation and rehabilitation efforts.

       Through a partnership with the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos), the initiative offers the opportunity to adopt a two-year-old orang utan named Ooooha at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.

       "We are glad to be collaborating with Statos in our mission not only to promote and protect orang utans as a legacy for future generations, but to educate the public globally on the importance of ensuring sustainability of the environment and biodiversity protection," SFC chief executive Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said in a statement Friday (Feb 25).

       He said SFC had played a pivotal role in conserving orang utans over the years.

       "Our Semenggoh Wildlife Centre acts as a bastion for these intelligent and gentle giants," he added.

       Statos deputy chief executive Putrie Rozana Soraya welcomed the collaboration with SFC to promote the conservation of orang utan.

       "Through this adoption programme, we hope to forge a stronger partnership with SFC for future conservation projects in our mission to educate and promote Sarawak in Singapore and beyond," she said.

       From now until March 31, those interested can adopt Ooooha for SGD$55 (RM170.82) and get a gift pack containing a thank-you letter, lanyard and button.

       The proceeds will go towards the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre's conservation efforts and day-to-day operations, including ensuring sufficient food supply for the orang utans.

       Established in 1975, the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre is the largest orang utan rehabilitation centre in Sarawak.

       Besides caring for wild animals which were injured, orphaned or kept illegally as pets, it also conducts research on wildlife and captive breeding programmes for endangered species.