Hollywood superstar Michelle Yeoh, who is also popular in the Sci-Fi world as Captain Philippa Georgiou from Star Trek Discovery, recently visited the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center in Sandakan, Sabah.
Her visit here on Saturday, 3rd February 2018 also marks her 10th year of volunteering and shooting the popular National Geographic documentary called Among Great Apes with Michelle Yeoh.
During Michelle's visit to Sepilok, she was escorted by Dr Diana Ramirez, Acting Manager of Sabah Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) and Sylvia Alsisto, Officer in Charge of Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Michelle Yeoh Visits Sepilok
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| Michelle feeds the baby pygmy elephants at Sepilok, Sabah |
Michelle was also briefed about the current ongoing conservation for wildlife here. And currently, there was also the Human-Elephant Conflict situation in Sabah, which has brought five rescued orphan elephants under 24 hours care by the wildlife rescue unit's vets and rangers.
Michelle Yeoh braved the rain and visited multiple places here in Sepilok. After her briefing, she visited the orangutan viewing platform during the non-visitor hour. From there, the star moved on to the recently opened orangutan outdoor nursery complex.
Finally, after a full tour of the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, Michelle then visited the one and only Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, where she was greeted by the founder and CEO, Dr Wong Siew Te. She was also briefed on the ongoing efforts of the sun bear conservation here.
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| Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh pats one of the pygmy elephants at Sepilok |
Michelle Yeoh had this to say;
“After nearly 10 year of volunteering while shooting the documentary here in Sepilok, I am so delighted to see so many changes here in Sabah in terms of Wildlife conservation.
Sabah Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Rescue Unit and the gravely important work they do in rescuing and passionately taking care of Sabah’s endangered wildlife is an awe-inspiring experience that Malaysia should be proud of”
“The establishment of the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre here in Sepilok is also a new conservation initiative that need to be applauded and supported as it gives chance for captive sun bears to be rehabilitated and released back into the wilds of Borneo"
“ I sincerely cant wait to be back and hopefully work closely with the Wildlife Rescue Unit and showcase the wonderful work they do, to the world at large”
With her final statement, most Malaysians and I hope that Michelle will come back to do more conservation work, and perhaps another documentary to highlight the conservation here.
Below are photos of Michelle Yeoh visiting Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Sabah.
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| Michelle poses with Sabah's Wildlife Rescue Unit Team at Sepilok |
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| Close up of Michelle Yeoh and the pygmy elephant |
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| Michelle takes a moment at Sepilok, Sabah |
Conclusion
Born in Ipoh, Perak Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Michelle Yeoh Choo-Kheng are an actress that has been in numerous Hollywood movies like Tomorrow Never Dies, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and many other movies. She has also been nominated for many awards and won some local awards.
Currently, she is well known as her role on the new Star Trek Discovery TV series as Captain Philippa Georgiou. She has also contributed to getting Malaysia on the world map and inspires many Malaysians with her work and also conservation efforts.