OC Launches Orangutan Crisis Coalition to Promote Unity, Spur Action
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Volume 10, No. 1 OC Launches Orangutan Crisis Coalition to Promote Unity, Spur Action 2007 With wild orangutans and support conservation efforts. their rainforest homes disap- The OCC will also seek to from the Wilderness pearing faster than ever, the raise funds to identify suit- Orangutan Conservancy able release sites for the AN ANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE ORANGUTAN CONSERVANCY (OC) recently launched the hundreds of orangutans Orangutan Crisis Coalition being held in rehabilitation (OCC), a project that will centers in Indonesia and bring together conservation Malaysia. organizations, zoos, univer- sities, corporations, and field The Association of Zoos & researchers to work on is- Aquariums (AZA) issued a sues related to orangutan letter in support of the OCC, protection. stating that “the situation facing wild orangutans in The OCC was unveiled by Borneo and Sumatra is dire OC chairman Norm Rosen but not irreversible, and AZA at the Orangutan Species institutions and the AZA’s Survival Plan (SSP) Hus- Species Survival Plan (SSP) bandry Workshop (see page are keenly aware that they 3), which was staged Octo- have a role to play in this ber 16-18 at the Brookfield fight.” The OCC is also com- Zoo in Chicago. mitted to working closely serve as a link between all “The situation facing orangu- of the various organizations with individual AZA institu- tans in Sumatra and Borneo and agencies working on tions that care for orangu- is critical,” Rosen said, “and various aspects of orangu- tans and the Orangutan the time to act is now. We tan care or conservation, SSP. believe the Orangutan Cri- but with little overlap or mu- One aspect of the OCC sis Coalition will be the tual support. The OCC, for will be to engage the broad- most effective way to en- instance, can link North est possible segment of the gage the most people and American zoos directly with public in North America and organizations around the field projects in Sumatra or world in this effort.” (Continued on page 11) Borneo, just as it can en- The OCC is designed to gage major corporations to OC Targets Funding to Support Nyaru Menteng The Orangutan Conser- quarantine cages, erect vancy (OC) stepped up its fencing along the rehabilita- commitment to Borneo’s tion islands, and purchase largest rescue center in fire-fighting equipment for 2007 by allocating $105,000 the Nyaru Menteng staff. to the Nyaru Menteng The remainder was a Orangutan Reintroduction $25,000 gift from OC sup- Project in Central Kaliman- tan in order to buy food and porters, which was used to medicine and construct new buy food, medicine and vital facilities for orphaned apes. supplies. and a $5,000 grant The majority of the funds from the Great Ape Trust of came through a $75,000 Iowa. grant from the Arcus Foun- dation’s Great Apes Fund, (Related story, page 4) which helped build 24 new
Page 2 VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS VOICES From the Wilderness ORANGUTAN CONSERVANCY Volume 10, No. 1 P.O. BOX 2113 APTOS, CA 95001-2113 USA Table of Contents OC HONORARY PATRONS OC Launches Orangutan Crisis Coalition.…..Page 1 Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. E.O. Wilson, Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo, Suwanna Guantlett OC Targets Funding for Nyaru Menteng……..Page 1 ADVISORS Dr. Amory B. Lovins, Dr. Willie Smits, Dr. Cheryl Brookfield Zoo Workshop Report…………......Page 3 Knott, Dr. Tim Laman, Dr. Herman Rijksen, Dr. Carel van Schaik, Dr. Mark Leighton OC Steers Major Grants to Nyaru Menteng….Page 4 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS UN Report Issues Dire Warning………………..Page 5 Norm Rosen, Chairman & Acting President Roger E. Nelson, Michael Sowards, Dr. Anne Updates from the Field: SOCP…………………Page 6 Russon, Wayne Sowards, Christine Mallar, Shirley Randolph, Dr. Rob Shumaker, Sarita Siegel, Linda Keenan, Sandra Fenley, Juanita Kempe, Vanessa Updates from the Field: Gunung Palung….…Page 7 Rogier, Dr. Stacey Sowards Barbara Shaw, Vice-President Updates from the Field: KOCP………………...Page 8 Doug Cress, Vice-President / Development Margaret Clune Giblin, Corporate Secretary Updates from the Field: Wanariset…………....Page 9 Kevin Johnson, Attorney Allison Kuze, CPA Orangutan Conservancy Merchandise……...Page 12 The Orangutan Conservancy (OC) is incorporated in the United States as a 501©3 non-profit corpo- Voices from the Wilderness is an annual publication of the ration. Orangutan Conservancy. Our thanks to all of our extraordinary volunteers Newsletter design and layout by apeaction@aol.com. and to you for giving when it is not always easy. We recognize the sacrifice that you make for this cause and we value your commitment. Contributors: Doug Cress, Sue Singh, Michael Sowards, Shirley Randolph, Dr. Anne Russon Copyright © 2007 Orangutan Conservancy, All rights reserved. Please direct all questions, comments or requests for back issues to Orangutan Conservancy, P.O. Box 2113, Aptos, CA 95001-2113 USA or write cmallar@orangutan.com. In memory of Allen Hume. Attention Federal Employees! You can make a lasting contribution to help orangutans! Federal employees now have the opportunity to make payroll deduction contributions to The orangutan Conser- vancy. It’s fast, easy, and can make a tremendous impact over time. Just designate The Orangutan Conser- vancy, CFC #10819 as a donation recipient in the Combined Federal Campaign. www.orangutan.com
VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS Page 3 Brookfield Zoo Focuses on Captive, Conservation Concerns at 1st Orangutan SSP Workshop Many believe the first Crisis Coalition (see page 1) successful if it provides a Orangutan Species Survival agenda as part of the pro- starting point for protecting Plan (SSP) Husbandry gram, and later took part apes. "Here we defined the Workshop was long over- with OC vice-president Doug issues that we must face if due. That said, it may still Cress in a conservation fo- we want these animals to be have been in time to help rum that included media save wild orangutans. from around the country. The workshop, which was The OC also received a staged October 16-18 at the $5,100 gift from the Brook- Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, field Zoo as a result of pro- successfully focused on is- ceeds from a silent auction. sues of conservation, habitat The SSP is an Association destruction, and illegal log- of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) ging, even as it addressed initiative that was begun in over 125 delegates largely 1981 to manage the captive rfrom zoos in the United populations of endangered States and Europe. Eight species in North American countries were represented zoos. More than 107 SSPs and guest speakers from currently oversee the hus- field projects in Borneo and bandry of 161 species. Sumatra underscored the urgency of the in situ situa- But the Orangutan SSP had tion. never held formal meetings, around 50 years from now," making the Brookfield Zoo he told the Chicago Sun- The Orangu- Times. tan Conser- "Here we defined the issues that we must face if we want vancy (OC) The workshop these animals to be around 50 years from now..." worked also presented Vince Sodaro, Brookfield Zoo an opportunity closely with Brookfield Zoo organizers to for the OC to workshop doubly important. build working relationships help identify important topics With dire reports from the and speakers. OC chairman with the zoos in Europe and field as to the rapid disap- North America that care for Norm Rosen unveiled the pearance of wild orangutans organization’s Orangutan orangutans. As a result, the and their habitat, topics such OC is already consulting as the Indonesian pet trade with the Oregon Zoo, the and oil palm expansion Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, shared the stage with enclo- Busch Gardens in Tampa, sure construction and cap- and several other institutions tive breeding in zoos. to prepare signage and in- Speakers included orangu- formation campaigns that tan field researchers such present the wild orangutan as Cheryl Knott, Ian Single- crisis effectively to zoo visi- ton, Serge Wich, Anne Rus- tors. son and Suci Suci, and more than a dozen dele- The OC was well repre- gates had experience at sented at the workshop, in- rehabilitation centers in ei- cluding board members Rob ther Sumatra or Borneo. Shumaker, Roger Nelson, Michael Sowards, Shirley Vince Sodaro,the lead pri- Randolph, Barbara Shaw, in Over 200 orangutans cur- mate keeper at the Brook- addition to Russon and rently reside in U.S. zoos. field Zoo, said the confer- Rosen. ence will only be judged www.orangutan.com
Page 4 VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS Arcus Great Apes Grant Highlights OC Funding Drive in Support of Nyaru Menteng in 2007 The Orangutan extinction,” said Conservancy Norm Rosen, chair- maintained its long man of the Orangu- -standing support tan Conservancy. of Borneo’s largest “We are pleased to rescue center in be able to help Nyaru 2007 by allocating Menteng in this cur- more than rent crisis, but for $100,000 to the how much longer can Nyaru Menteng they keep taking in Orangutan Rein- orphans at this rate? troduction Project Something has to be in order to buy done to protect the food and medicine forest as well as the and construct new animals that live facilities for or- there.” phaned apes. The Arcus Founda- Nyaru Menteng director Lone Droescher-Nielsen tion grant, which was The majority of the helps peel fruit for a juvenile orangutan, one of over one of only two made funds came 600 orphans at the sanctuary in Central Kalimantan. on behalf of orangu- through a $75,000 tans in 2007, came at a time grant from the Arcus Foun- cated 80 infant orangutans dation’s Great Apes Fund, and rescued 223 adults in when Nyaru Menteng was which helped build 24 new 2006, the highest number facing severe space limita- quarantine cages, erect since the facility opened tions and the onset of an- fencing along the rehabilita- eight years ago. nual fires that figured to tion islands, and purchase The Orangutan Conser- push the orphan population fire-fighting equipment for vancy has supported Nyaru ever higher. The funds also the Nyaru Menteng staff. Menteng since 2000, and helped protect the rehabilita- believes the orphanage – The remainder was a tion islands that house older which was created to care $25,000 gift from OC’s sup- orangutans – some of which porters, which was used to were featured on the Animal buy food, medicine and sup- Planet documentary series, plies. The Arcus Foundation Great “Orangutan Diary” – from A $5,000 grant from the Apes Fund was created in 2000 unwanted visitors. Great Ape Trust of Iowa was to support projects that promote also directed to Nyaru Men- the conservation and welfare of It is estimated that Indonesia teng to support rehabilitation chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, gibbons and sia- has already lost more than projects. mangs. In 2007, over $4.2 mil- 72 percent of its original Nyaru Menteng is home to lion was awarded to programs in over 600 injured and un- Africa, Asia, and North America. frontier forests, and contin- wanted orangutans, many of For more information, visit ues to clear another one which have been confis- www.arcusfoundation.org. percent each year. Much of cated from poachers or ille- the recent devastation has gal traders. Rampant defor- for less than half its current orangutan population – is been caused by fires and estation, hunting and human the rush to cultivate palm oil encroachment in Borneo emblematic of Indonesia’s deep environmental crisis. for overseas markets, which have caused a recent surge in orphaned orangutans, “Every day, orangutans is made worse by weather and Nyaru Menteng confis- move that much closer to patterns such as El Nino. www.orangutan.com
VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS Page 5 UN Report Warns of Peril for Orangutans, Blames Rush to Embrace Biofuel Industry in Asia Orangutans face serious climatic and ecological threats from global warming and the oil palm trade, and a recent United Nations (UN) report indicates their long- term survival may be more precarious than ever. Rampant illegal logging, le- thal annual forest fires and the massive conversion of forests into plantations for palm oil and pulp wood have placed orangutans on the world's list of endangered species. An estimated 65,000 orangutans remain in Borneo and 7,300 in Suma- tra. A recent UN report indi- cated that the habitat suit- A recent United Nations report warned that the orangutans’ natu- able for orangutans would be ral habitat could be lost by 2022 at the current rate of destruction. lost by 2022. tans out of the forests into as a biofuel, as the expan- A longer dry season will re- villages and plantations to sion of cultivation of oil palm duce the abundance of fruits in Southeast Asia is associ- look for food. which will negatively impact ated with widespread defor- orangutan populations since A new U.N. study, “Palm Oil estation and violation of hu- females are not likely to con- Not Green Asia,” empha- man rights of indigenous ceive when food is scarce. sized that Europe’s demand people. Climate-change will induce for “green-friendly” fuels fires thus fragmenting the such as palm oil is coming The attraction of palm oil habitat and reducing the at a high social and environ- plantations, which preceded number of fruit bearing trees, mental cost in Asia. The the emerging demand for which take many years to U.N. report cautioned coun- biofuels from Europe, stems bear fruit. A combination of tries in the region against largely from the ease with rising temperatures and de- following the lead taken by which they can be grown forestation is driving orangu- Indonesia and Malaysia, the main producers of palm oil and the high profits. The Orangutan Conservancy would like to thank its corpo- rate and institutional sponsors for their support in 2007! ERM Foundation—construction of canal blocks to stop the drainage of the valuable peat swamp forest in the Mawas Conservation Area UNOCAL—education program and project support Great Ape Trust of Iowa (GAT)—support for the translocation of wild orangutans and education programs Trimble Navigation Limited—GIS positioning instruments Potrero Nuevo Fund, Tides Foundation—support for the translocation of wild orangutans and the nourishment and care of orphaned orangutans at Wanariset www.orangutan.com
Page 6 VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS SOCP Welcomes Peace Accords, Battles Local Politics in Effort to Protect Sumatran Orangutans By Ian Singleton The SOCP also continues to centre than most of them The peace accords that fi- rescue and rehabilitate do, and are located in a nally brought calm to Aceh orangutans, including Bolo, very green and leafy loca- in 2005 after almost six a female who underwent tion next to the stream and years of separatist conflict follow-up surgery earlier this near the edge of the na- have meant a gradual return year on her arm to remove ture reserve that backs on to normalcy for the Suma- pins from the elbow that was to the site. Funding for tran Orangutan Conserva- destroyed by a bullet wound these cages was kindly tion Programme (SOCP). whilst being kept as a mili- donated by the Orangutan tary officers “pet”. The pins Conservancy, the Austra- Suaq Balimbing is now up were put in during her first lian Orangutan Project and and running again. Students operation in December the kids of the Jakarta In- from Zurich Univer- ternational School. sity in Switzerland Bolo is one of the first and one from the residents of these UNAS (National Uni- cages, along with Tila versity, Jakarta) are who has hepatitis B now working at the and Leuser who is site with SOCP staff, blind after being shot along with Leuser in both eyes whilst in International Founda- the forest (and else- tion (LIF) and the where, 62 times in all) Gunung Leuser Na- with an air rifle. Tila tional Park Authori- still has to be kept ties, to rejuvenate separate from the research at the peat others but we intend swamp site in South to try and mix Bolo Sumatran orangutans are classified as “critically Aceh. The area is of endangered” by the World Conservation Union and Leuser so that particular interest to (IUCN), and it is believed that 80 percent of their both can benefit from orangutan experts population has disappeared over the last 75 years. the companionship due to the high den- until a more suitable isities of orangutans 2005, in an attempt to avoid solution for the rest of their and their tool-using behav- amputation and to allow her lives is found. ior. All research activities to regain use of her hand. ceased there in 1999 as a Finally, we are also Bolo can now use all of the pleased to report that work result of the fighting, but fingers in her left hand and after the peace accord was on developing a conserva- can tion strategy signed -- and some early grasp reconnaissance visits by for the objects OC Facts Batang Toru SOCP and LIF personnel -- relatively we are delighted that scien- Orangutan Conservancy forests is easily. recently funded the con- also pro- tific work is one again under- way at Suaq. The last year struction of cages and ceeding well. also saw the publication of The training at SOCP In April 2007, Carel van Schaik’s book SOCP more than 30 Among Orangutans, which also completed construction representa- provides much more infor- of some new cages at the tives of the local govern- mation on the Suaq orangu- quarantine in 2007. These ments and other stake- tan population and explains are designed specially for holders of North, South why we were so keen to get orangutans that must stay (Continued on page 10) back there. longer at the quarantine www.orangutan.com
VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS Page 7 Return to Gunung Palung Buoys Hope of Veteran Researcher at GPOCP By Cheryl Knott ics of a growing community continue our education, The sights, smells and and constant pressures on awareness and habitat pro- sounds were familiar when I the area’s orangutans, for- tection projects in the area. arrived in Ketapang, West ests and Kalimantan, Borneo, the natural resources. OC Facts I was headquarters of the Gunung thrilled to Palung Orangutan Conser- I arrived in Orangutan Conservancy Sukadana, helped fund infrastruc- finally vation Program (GPOCP). make it the largest ture and research at Pungent dried fish were laid back into town next Gunung Palung in 2007 out like dominoes in the the forest, street side markets, the roar to the Park, to find a completely and our of all shapes and sizes of new Lubuk Baji environ- motorbike – the standard new government: The Ketapang regency, or mental education and ecot- form of transportation here – ourism camp in the hills high filled the air with a steady county, was split in two in 2007 and now the Park’s above Sukadana was an hum and the toku, or shops, excellent place to explore. I were bursting with color and orangutans must contend with a new bupati, or mayor, counted dozens of orangu- everything one could want tan nests as we trekked past for the home, from rainbows crystal clear waterfalls and of plastic buckets to shiny brilliantly delicate orchids. rice cookers and the latest As we approached the cell phones. camp, the late afternoon The Ketapang community was filled with the sounds of was alive, and it seemed as gibbons and leaf monkeys though a good portion of it whooping and chattering was at my first event in high up in the canopy. The town, the successful camp, finished in early 2007, “Gunung Palung Speaks is like a big two-story tree Out.” This evening, organ- house in the forest, com- ized by GPOCP and the plete with Dayak staircases. Gunung Palung National We have already hosted Park Service office at a local high school field trips, Park outdoor cafe, gave citizens Service meetings and inter- an opportunity to learn about national tourists. the park and ask questions Two days later I got a regarding its features and chance to visit Cabang preservation. A large stage Panti, the Park’s jewel of a was set-up outside with a research site. Closed three wide screen back-drop pro- Illegal logging activities have years ago due to illegal log- jecting a number of new diminished in some key re- search sites at Gunung ging, I was thrilled to arrive films made at Gunung in a camp without the single Palung. Live music, dance Palung sound of a chainsaw and no and skits were all part of the and the new challenges evidence of recent logging presentation, and a fun night these changes will bring. activities. The site is a out was had by all. We kept our community GPOCP and Park Service As I met with GPOCP staff presence strong by partici- success story, and is now and toured the area, it be- pating in the opening cere- being rebuilt. During our came apparent that changes mony for the regency and first morning trek, we got no were taking place, and the meeting the new bupati. We (Continued on page 10) project was keeping pace look forward to developing with the ever shifting dynam- close ties with him as we www.orangutan.com
Page 8 VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS KOCP Welcomes Projects to Remove Palms, Restore Forests Along Kinabatangan River By Marc Ancrenaz Although a 50-meter strip is will be a major chapter for the The Kinabatangan Orangu- a narrow passage, this is a “USM Forest Management tan Conservation Project good start for recreating a Plan”, expected to be pro- (KOCP) was cheered by a true corridor of natural habi- duced at the end of 2007. This number of developments tat along the Kinabatangan plan gives a major emphasis to that included government River. Indeed, the KOCP the long-term conservation of support for protecting the showed earlier that habitat the 2,000 orangutans that are forest habitats of orangutans fragmentation was the major living in these forests. and re-connecting their his- threat to the long-term Day-to-day activities at the torical rangeland. orangutan survival in Kina- KOCP study site brought an batangan. By restoring corri- interesting sighting of “Pak In June, the Federal and dors of forests and by linking Lummun”, a flanged male that State Governments officially the different lots of the sanc- had vanished from our study launched a program aimed tuary we hope to rectify this at claim- site for the past three years. issue. The This new encounter indicates ing back act of re- all ripar- OC Facts claiming that flanged males can leave ian forest an area where they have es- Orangutan Conservancy the ripar- reserves tablished a regular presence provided funding for ian forest that had for extensive periods of time, KOCP’s GIC Unit in 2007 reserves been de- before returning. Etin and has to be Sam, the two young sub-adult stroyed seen as and planted with oil palms males that we have been fol- the first step for recreating a lowing over the past nine years along the Kinabatangan natural situation where River. One of the major are still roaming within our orangutans, elephants and study site: they spend most of threats to the integrity of the other species will be given Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife their time in association, pay- back a chance to roam ing a visit to their respective Sanctuary is habitat frag- freely along the river. mentation that is resulting mothers (Jenny and Maria) on from extensive development A two-week field expedition an irregular basis. of oil palm plantations, and to the Ulu Segama–Malua (Marc Ancrenaz is director of this campaign consists of (USM) forest was conducted KOCP) reclaiming the Riparian For- by KOCP in June. This ex- est Reserve that had been pedition helped planted with oil palms over a secure an ex- KOCP Reports Orangutan Twins strip of about 50-60 meters tensive data bank on Orangutan twins were spotted at least twice along the river. orangutans and recently at the Lower Kinabatangan region in All palm trees will be other wildlife eastern Sabah, in what is believed to be the chopped down and de- populations first-ever documented sighting of twins in the stroyed as part of the cam- living through- wild. paign, and native trees will out USM. This Cardiff University wildlife geneticist Dr Benoit be replanted in order to re- information was Goossens saw the twins clinging to their connect the different compiled in an mother at the banks of the Kinabatangan patches of forest that are internal report river on Oct 23. Several days later, Kina- found along the river and to report that has batangan Orang Utan Conservation Project link up together all the lots of been submitted (KOCP) field assistant Mohd Daisah Kapar, the LKWS. Approximately to the Sabah who was out on assignment to monitor pri- 200 palms were destroyed Forestry Depart- mates, saw the mother and her twins at the for the launching of the cam- ment. Our recom- mendations for Resang river, a tributary of the Kinabatangan. paign, with several thousand Goossens said the babies were probably not more due to be removed in managing wild- the coming months. life within USM more than 6 months old. www.orangutan.com
VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS Page 9 Wanariset Orphans Attend Forest School to Prepare for Return to the Wild It is a typical morning in the tween three to 10 months in a suitable site is found and outskirts of Balikpapan City, the socialization phases, orangutans have shown the East Kalimantan, and a band depending upon individual required elements to survive of creatures with brown hair needs and physical develop- in a natural forest. Orangu- walks alongside several hu- ment. tans that are release candi- mans in uniform. Some of The Forest Schools are ar- dates are grouped according these creatures hold them- eas within Samboja Lestari to correct sex-ratio, size, selves on the humans’ feet that have been designated and age. All release sites or are carried in the humans’ for use by orangutans for are studied initially to ensure arms. This band of primates skill-learning in a natural the availability of fruit trees is heading to the forest. forest. During the daylight and fallback foods. As an This procession occurs daily hours, important official require- at the orangu- ment and recommendation BOS OC Facts tans are under the International Un- Wanariset Orangutan Conservancy free to ion for the Conservation of Orangutan helped fund the Samboja move in Nature (IUCN), there should Reintro- Lestari Forest School in the trees be no viable wild popula- duction 2007 (under tions of orangutans in any Project in supervi- release site and the site East Kali- sion, as should be geographically mantan, Indonesia. Of data is collected daily) to isolated. course, the brown-haired gain much-needed forest Knowing that conservation is creatures are orangutans in expertise. They are taken to most effective when involv- the midst of the rehabilitation sleeping cages only at sun- ing local communities, process, and the humans down, where an evening Wanariset’s staff works are babysitters and techni- snack awaits them. closely with local communi- cians who accompany them. ties to raise support and The forest where they are The older orangutans, who have exhibited forest skills awareness. The center co- headed is a place to learn operates with local farmers how to survive in their new such as nest-building and tree-climbing, are moved to living nearby to provide fruits homes. and vegetables for the ani- Wanariset currently houses the Halfway House, a small forest area where they con- mals, and also carries out 219 rehabilitated oraguntans environmental education and was established to reha- tinue to develop survival skills. The average time an campaigns by visiting area bilitate the orphans confis- schools. cated by the government orangutan spends in the and prepare them for release Halfway House is six back into the forest. months, although it Once they have cleared is some- quarantine, the orangutans times are placed in Forest Schools longer, de- with animals of a similar age pending on and temperament. The vast the avail- majority of orangutans arriv- ability and ing at the center are under suitability of 10 years of age; therefore release they are still in need of some sites. social interaction and learn- ing. The animals are ob- The final served and records are kept release of individual development. phase oc- Orangutans may spend be- curs when Over 200 orphans are housed at Wanariset. www.orangutan.com
Page 10 VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS GPOCP Works with Local Communities to Establish Legal Ownership of Rainforests, Halt Logging (Continued from page 7) our partners to confiscate six orphans in the first seven could help community further than 400 feet from members improve their live- months of 2007 in forests camp before spotting an lihoods and find alternatives near the park – where the orangutan and her plump to logging and palm oil. I threat from oil palm is every- two-year old baby, high in a left Ketapang excited to be where. I was happy to hear, Syzygium tree. I recognized sharing in the success of however, that five of the six her as my old friend, Eliza- GPOCP and our local part- were sent to experienced beth, one of the females my ners. Challenges remain, rehabilitation facilities and team has followed for hun- but the leaps and bounds they are all doing well. The dreds of hours. On the trip we have made in the pro- sixth was his own success home we spotted another gram in its first seven years story: GPOCP worked with female and two juveniles is encouraging. its partners to release him peering from their well cam- I arrived in Jakarta with a back into local forest with ouflaged perch. Five full slate of meetings with suitable habitat, as he was orangutans in less than 24 government agencies and judged to be old enough to hours is encouraging! partners. The week ahead survive on his own. The last What a switch from my last we saw of him, he was eat- did not seem so daunting, visit where we were faced ing well and doing fine in his however, as my experi- with the shocking evidence new home. ences in Ketapang and the of logging within the site. In National Park gave me con- I got a chance to see first- fact, reports are that all log- fidence to report all the hand how we are helping to ging has stopped in the Na- great work the staff and combat the emerging oil tional Park! partners have been doing in palm threat through our visit In the past few years, the to the village of Riam the past few years. I rapid expansion of huge Berasap. This community headed home with palm oil plantations has sup- came to us last year for help Ketapang’s sights, smells planted illegal logging as the in their efforts to 'say no' to and sounds still fresh, ea- number one threat to area palm oil companies planning. ger to update my family and forests and orangutan popu- We are working with them to colleagues on these posi- lations, although logging achieve legal ownership of tive developments, and al- continues and is still a major their village forests to save ready looking forward to my challenge in the areas bor- them from palm oil conver- next visit. dering the Park. This was sion. My visit included a vil- (Dr. Cheryl Knott is the founder evident in the reports I re- lage meeting where we of the Gunung Palung Orangu- ceived of illegally held or- spent hours cross-legged on tan Conservation Program phaned orangutans. (GPOCP); Jamie Kemsey of the floor, sipping sweet hot the GPOCP contributed to this GPOCP staff worked with tea and discussing how article.) SOCP Welcomes Return to Research, Rehabilitation Activities (Continued from page 6) thusiastic about the opportu- stakeholders and a compre- and Central Tapanuli Dis- nities and each District has hensive management plan tricts in North Sumatra un- already now set up a special for conserving this forest dertook a study tour to East working group to develop area and its important Borneo to see first hand how the concept further. Over the orangutan population, the the Sungai Wain Conserva- next year or two the aim is most southern wild popula- tion Forest is managed and to establish a consortium tion in Sumatra. protected by the local gov- involving the three govern- (Ian Singleton is director of ernment there. All were en- ments, NGO’s and other Conservation for SOCP) www.orangutan.com
VOICES FROM THE WILDERNESS Page 11 Orangutan Crisis Coalition To Seek Alliances with Socially Conscious Corporations In an effort to create awareness Among the companies and and support for orangutan con- products the OC and the servation issues, the Orangutan Orangutan Crisis Coalition Crisis Coalition will seek to part- support are: ner with socially-conscious cor- Newman’s Own poration and manufacturers that make product that do not harm Johnson & Johnson orangutan habitats. Cadbury Schweppes Although palm oil is found in Banquet hundreds of household items — and its harvest is responsible Dove for the destruction of vast tracts Birds Eye of rainforest — sustainable yield Heinz palm oil is becoming increas- ingly popular and does not farm Kellogs orangutan habitats. Bertoli Unilever OCC Crafted to The Orangutan Conservancy would Unite Parties like to thank its supporters and the following organizations in 2007! (Continued from Page 1) Europe, primarily through zoo Arcus Foundation Friends of the Kansas City Zoo programs and the promotion of Big Blue Foundation Great Ape Trust of Iowa “orangutan-friendly” products Endangered Species Chocolate Great Beginnings (CA) and companies. Preliminary Folkmanis Happy Hollow Park and Zoo talks are under way with New- Gannet Foundation Henry Doorly Zoo man’s Own, Johnson & John- son, and H.J. Heinz, among Monkey Business Production Omaha Zoological Society others, to promote their prod- ACE-Ape Conservation Fund Hogle Zoo / Utah Zoological Park ucts in return for OCC sponsor- The Hankin Foundation Houston Zoo ship and support. Wildlife Art Studio Jackson Zoological Park Petitions will also be circulated Chevron Employee Matching Jardin Zoologique du Quebec Program at AZA institutions, calling for Kansas City Zoo Docents the Governments of Indonesia American Association of Zoo- Milwaukee County Zoo / AAZK keepers (AAZK) and Malaysia to protect wild Oregon Zoo Foundation Brookfield Zoo orangutans and their habitat. Rocky Mountain AAZK These petitions will be pre- Capron Zoo Rolling Hills Zoo sented by a delegation of U.S. Chaffee Zoological Gardens St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis AAZK zoo officials that is tentatively Cheyenne Mountain Zoo St. Paul’s Como Zoo scheduled to visit Southeast Cincinnati Zoo Asia in 2009. Toledo Zoo Columbus Zoo Woodland Park Zoo The OCC will also establish a Como Zoo & Conservation Soci- ety Zoo Assistance Fund, Greater Los keeper exchange program be- Angeles Zoo Association Denver Zoological Foundation tween the AZA and field pro- Zoo Atlanta Erie Zoo jects in Sumatra and Borneo. Fresno Zoological Foundation www.orangutan.com
ORANGUTAN CONSERVANCY MERCHANDISE IS NOW AVAILABLE! T-Shirts Mugs Aprons Hats e Help Sav Buttons Postage Tote Bags ns! Stamps Oranguta Magnets Go to www.zazzle.com/orangutan to mix and match your favorite colors and styles. A portion of the proceeds of each sale will go to fund Orangutan Conservancy pro- grams in Borneo and Sumatra. Great Prices! YOU CAN HELP ORANGUTAN CONSERVANCY HELP THE ORANGUTANS! Adopt an orangutan Donate your old cell phone and used ink cartridges to our recycling programs Establish a legacy gift or charitable giving account Buy a "Gift from the Heart" for your loved ones this holiday season Orangutan Become an OC volunteer Conservancy is listed with ebay’s Become a member of OC today! Missionfish! For more information on how you can help, visit us online at ID# 21363 www.orangutan.com and select “Can You Help?” P.O. Box 2113 Aptos, CA 95001-2113 USA www.orangutan.com
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