2021 - A year to remember

With your support, 2021 has undoubtedly been a year to remember:

New Life. After nine months of waiting, there’s nothing more exciting for our orangutan monitoring teams than to see a female arriving at camp with an infant; and this happened seven times in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in 2020!

Remarkably in 2021, we’ve continued to witness even more orangutan births. First came Sheila with her infant Silva, followed by Ilik with her infant Ilan, and recently we’ve spotted Camelia with her infant Tasia! When we consider that our team have documented 92 wild orangutan births in this forest between 2003 and 2021, it shows that this Reserve is clearly an optimum habitat for this species. Knowing we have increased the population of a critically endangered species by 92 has to be one of our proudest achievements.

Sheila & Silva

Ilik & Ilan

Camelia & Tasia

Second Chances. When restrictions from the pandemic eased, it gave our field team the opportunity to complete the final and perhaps most rewarding part of our orangutan soft-release programme, to release orphans back into the wild where they belong.

Okto, Pegi, and Bumi were each previously kept as pets so they had many skills to learn without their mother. It’s therefore understandable for them to take some time to become fully prepared for an independent life. Together this trio had spent almost a decade under the tutelage of our staff, until this year the time had finally come for them to be released and explore the forest on their own.

Following these departures, this year we also welcomed a new face into our care when one-year-old Sinta was discovered alone and abandoned in the Reserve. In soft-release she will have the opportunity to strengthen her forest skills so that she too can be released one day!

Okto's release

Pegi

Bumi's release

Sinta

A Flourishing Forest. We know that tropical rainforests are the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems on earth, but there’s so much of this rich habitat we cannot see. By strategically positioning remote camera traps and carrying out surveys in the dead of night, we can glimpse a little more into this hidden world.

This year our team at Pondok Ambung Tropical Forest Research Station have continued to monitor the health of Tanjung Puting National Park’s biodiversity by recording sightings of vulnerable species such as tarsiers, clouded leopards, sun bears, proboscis monkeys, false gharial crocodiles, and many more. If we needed reminders to why we should protect this forest, what better examples than these!

Working Remotely. You don’t get the best Wi-Fi signal in the rainforest, but technology has enabled us to communicate and engage with wider audiences from homes and offices this year. On International Day of Forests in March, our Director Ashley Leiman OBE together with Ian Redmond OBE and Dr Ian Singleton OBE hosted an enlightening live webinar to discuss the past, present, and future of orangutan conservation.

In the field our team have also embraced this new way of working. Conservation Corner for example is a section our local office where youth groups, students, researchers, and members of the conservation community would meet to exchange strategies and ideas. Now this discussion is often held online which means that it can be shared quickly and be accessible to a wider audience.

Cooperation. In June we were delighted to sign our third Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Ministry of Environment & Forestry allowing Orangutan Foundation to continue our work in Central Kalimantan.

Following the tightest restrictions of the pandemic, our engagement team couldn’t wait to get back out to schools and local communities this year. Several educational events were hosted in 2021, including some wonderful activities for Orangutan Caring Week in November. Our dedicated team visited nearby villages and schools to raise awareness by handing out leaflets, books, and T-shirts. They were thrilled to see such enthusiasm on the faces of younger generations, and it was eye-opening to understand more about how animals from the forest and rivers impact the daily lives of local people. This cooperation and knowledge is essential to continue our vital work.

Our Engagement Team

Education Workshops

Community Engagement

Teaching in the classroom

Future Forests. Forest fires occur each year in South East Asia. Fortunately though in 2021, we were pleased to see that the habitats we protect were not severely affected by fires, instead it was flooding that impacted many of our forest guard posts. This too is a reminder that the impacts of global warming are undeniably being felt in this part of the world.

Following the COP26 summit, our Forest Restoration team cultivated and planted around 30,000 young tree saplings this year to help reduce the impacts of climate change. Additionally, they decided to reduce our plastic waste by making the switch to biodegradable sapling bags. These bags are hand-made from pandan leaves by local villagers, providing an additional source of income and encouraging nearby communities to support their natural world.

New eco-bags

Hand-made by local people

Replanting saplings

Your Support. 2021 has been unique in many ways, but as in previous years, we have still received unwavering support from members, followers, and fundraisers this year.

Your commitment helped us reach our fundraising targets for our Green Match Fund, Christmas Challenge, and for International Orangutan Day you protected over 2,500 acres of orangutan habitat! Not to mention the sponsored bike rides, fun run’s, and bake sales which have all made a massive contribution towards the protection of critically endangered orangutans and the safeguarding of their crucial forest environment.

Running for orangutans

Going orange for orangutans

Hiking for orangutans

Thank you to everyone who has supported our ongoing conservation programmes this year and with your help we look forward to another memorable year in 2022!

Even 2020 can be an Inspiration

We didn’t expect our recap of 2020 to be quite like this.

Last year we were looking forward to celebrating the Foundation’s 30th anniversary, however life had other plans for all of us. COVID-19 impacted the lives of everyone both in the UK and in Indonesia, which meant we had to adapt. To commemorate our anniversary, we published a booklet ‘Orangutan Foundation - 30 Years of Conservation’.

There were many things to inspire us in 2020, including the progress of orphaned orangutans like adventurous Okto (above) in our soft-release programme.

Orangutans share around 97% of their DNA with humans, which means COVID-19 poses a potential threat to this critically endangered species. Fortunately however, none of the orangutans we monitor, or any of our 60 local staff have been taken ill by the virus. In fact if a small silver lining can be drawn from this difficult situation, it is that working and communicating remotely where possible has meant that everyone has learnt how to embrace the use of new technology, Zoom!

Community outreach and education is one of the fundamental cornerstones of the Foundation’s work. Therefore during lockdown, our team had to find new ways of working together remotely.

Conservation Corner, before and during the pandemic. This is a platform where local youth groups, students, researchers, and members of the conservation community can meet to exchange concepts and ideas. One online session had close to 100 people joining in, demonstrating the concern that younger members of the community have for the environment.

Local events are vital to keep raising awareness and promote habitat protection, and luckily before restrictions last year, we were able to hold a number of community activities. Including:

Community Awareness Events

For Indonesian Primate Day in February 2020, we took to the streets of Pangkalan Bun with local schools to celebrate orangutans and raise awareness.

Socioeconomic and Biodiversity Training

In collaboration with local NGO Yayorin, we held a number of technical training sessions to help local people monitor orangutan populations within oil-palm concessions, logging concessions, and community lands. Without the input of these stakeholders we would not be able to achieve our aims.

Sustainable Livelihood Workshops

Early in the year, we worked with women from local communities to practice different farming and weaving techniques. This expertise can provide families with an alternative livelihood and offer an extra sense of stewardship towards the forest.

Educating in the Forest

Inspiring the next generation of conservationists is always something that motivates us. Since we couldn’t visit the schools, we brought the classrooms into the forest.

Our Forest Restoration Programme was active throughout the year. Our team planted an additional 16,500 young trees in areas which one day will bolster existing forest boundaries.

By cultivating saplings in specially designed nurseries and then planting them along existing forest boundaries, we can turn previously destroyed habitat into rainforest of the future.

Much like us, in 2020 the forest also faced a new challenge. The rainforests of Central Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo suffered some of the most severe flooding in recent memory, submerging large areas of habitat for much of the year. This is a stark contrast to previous years which would have been battling forest fires during the dry season. A striking reminder of how unpredictable our weather patterns have become as the impacts of climate change take hold.

The unpredictable nature of climate change. In September 2019 our guard post teams were fighting forest fires, and 12 months later their outposts are submerged by flooding.

Unsurprisingly, it was the orangutans that gave us the best news and most amusing stories last year. The orphaned orangutans in our soft-release programme for example continued to go from strength to strength as they develop new forest skills, with Okto in particular, impatient for an independent life in the wild.

In June, we were very excited to discover that wild orangutan Pauline had given birth in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Then shortly after, our field team were surprised again when Queen showed off her infant. Two recorded births of these great apes in such a short space of time is unusual, so to have observed a remarkable seven orangutan arrivals by the end of November was truly astonishing! It’s an extremely rare occurrence to have so many recorded births in less than 6 months, but a welcome boost for the future of this critically endangered species.

Pauline & Pancaran

We were very excited in late June when Pauline gave birth to Pancaran, the first new arrival to the Reserve in 2020.

Queen & Quentin

Our team spotted Queen with her newborn Quentin in July. The pair are often seen wading through the water in search of food.

Labetty & Leon

It was predicted that Labetty would give birth in August, but Leon was actually born a few weeks earlier. The pair have been doing very well in the forest.

Suwita & Samuel

In the same week that Labetty gave birth at Camp Rasak, Suwita showed off her new infant Samuel.

Betli & her newborn

Wild orangutan Betli gave birth in November but we’re still yet to identify the sex of her infant.

Maya & her infant

In the same week as her son Macho’s sixth birthday, Maya gave birth to her newest infant in November.

Passion & her infant

In late November, Passion presented the seventh and final orangutan arrival of 2020 to our field team.

We were truly blown away by your support in 2020, in spite of restrictions. In particular for our 30th Anniversary Appeal which launched last year in collaboration with SOCP (The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme), helping save all three species of orangutan.

Big Give Christmas Challenge

For our 30th anniversary, your support helped us raise over £25,000 towards our ongoing orangutan conservation programmes.

Fantastic Fundraisers

Despite the challenges, there were a number of dedicated fundraisers who supported us last year, especially younger generations. 12-year-old Will for example walked, ran, and cycled over 7,300 miles raising over £3,500!

Sponsor an Acre

For International Orangutan Day in August 2020, you sponsored over 1,000 acres of tropical forest in just one week!

Great Ape Gallery

Working with renowned wildlife photographer Ian Wood, together we raised awareness and funds towards the conservation of great apes.

Protecting all three orangutan species

We were pleased to see the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme’s Dr Ian Singleton receive an OBE in 2020, and by collaborating with SOCP, you helped us work towards a future for orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra.

2020 will be remembered for many reasons, but perhaps more than any other year, it must be remembered for the connection we have made between the welfare of our planet and the importance of nature. By continuing to save our forests, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change.

We have been inspired and overwhelmed by the generosity we received in 2020, even through these difficult times. We sincerely appreciate the devotion of all partners, fundraisers, and supporters on Orangutan Foundation’s 30th anniversary year, and look forward to keep making a difference in the years to come.

Bursting with life - Mammals

Despite covering around 6% of Earth’s land surface, it’s estimated that tropical rainforests are home to 80% of our planet’s terrestrial biodiversity. These diverse forests are truly bursting with life, and within Tanjung Puting National Park and the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in Indonesian Borneo, there are prime examples of this rich habitat.

During their work in the forest, our field teams spot orangutans and other primates in the trees, and yet they rarely see other Mammals as many tend to venture out at night. The elusiveness of many mammalian species in the forest means that the only time our team observe them is on remote camera traps or during wildlife rescues. Some of these fascinating species include:

Sunda Clouded Leopard - Neofelis diardi - Like orangutans, this species of leopard is native to the tropical forests of Borneo and Sumatra. Very little is known about the behaviour of these nocturnal and predatory cats due to their elusive nature, however we do know that their canine teeth are longer than any other cat species in relation to their body size, and their long tail helps with balance as they navigate through the tree tops and forest floor.

The main threat to these iconic forest cats is habitat loss; another trait shared with orangutans. Listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List, there are only an estimated 4,500 individuals remaining in the wild.

Sun Bear - Helarctos malayanus - This is the only bear found in South East Asia and the smallest of all the 8 bear species. Their smaller size means that they are perfectly suited to an arboreal life and their long claws and tongue are ideal for feeding on insects and honey in the trees.

The name ‘Sun Bear’ comes from the pale patch of fur on their chests which is said to resemble a rising or setting sun. Each pattern is unique like a human fingerprint, helping to distinguish one individual from another.

Malayan Civet - Viverra tangalunga - These small omnivorous mammals roam its forest habitat at night in the search for fruit, insects, and anything else it can find to eat. Although largely solitary, it's thought that civets use scent as a way of remotely communicating with one another amongst the dense vegetation by rubbing themselves on trees and the leaves on the forest floor.

Asian Small-clawed Otter - Aonyx cinereus - Rarely observed in the forest’s network of rivers as they tend to search for their food at night, these otters have extremely dexterous hands which are ideal at finding shellfish and crustaceans underwater. Through their high-pitched squeaks the otters can accurately locate one another, and it’s suggested that they can communicate using 12 or more different social calls. These are the smallest of all 13 otter species, but habitat loss and water pollution has impacted their numbers to the extent that they are classified as a species that is ‘Vulnerable’.

Yellow-throated Marten - Martes flavigula - Martens are members of the Mustelidae family (like weasels, ferrets, and badgers), and feast on a variety of food from lizards and bird eggs to fruit and nectar- thought to make them important seed dispersers in the forest. The yellow-throated marten is found throughout wooded areas of South East Asia, and their muscly build and long tail help make them as agile in the canopy as they are on the forest floor.

Malayan Porcupine - Hystrix brachyura - This is the largest of the seven porcupine species found in Asia. This species rely on their burrows to stay in during the day, and come out at night to forage for roots, seeds, nuts, and fallen fruit. Malayan porcupines appear to have strong family ties and will often travel in small groups searching for food. They may have few predators in this habitat, but when threatened, porcupines will often charge backwards in the hope that their sharp quills will deter any aggressor.

Bornean Bearded Pig - Sus barbatus - Like other pig species, the Bornean Bearded Pig is omnivorous and will feed on a variety of forest foods. Their long snouts are perfectly evolved to search for worms and tree roots under the soil, and they will also forage for seeds and fruit dropped by animals high up in the canopy. These pigs reach sexual maturity at around 18 months old and usually give birth to between two and four offspring at a time. Piglets have stripy coats to help them camouflage into their surroundings which fade in later life.

Deer - There are a variety of deer found in Borneo, the most commonly observed by our staff are muntjac or barking deer (below centre). With no wild tigers on this tropical island, and clouded leopards and humans being their only predators, deer can thrive in the forest feeding on vegetation. Lesser Mouse Deer (Tragulus kanchil, below left) and the vulnerable Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor, below right) can also be found in another environment where the Foundation operates in Central Kalimantan, the Belantikan region.

Bursting with life - Birds

The diverse ecosystems within Tanjung Puting National Park and the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in Indonesian Borneo are truly bursting with life. Our staff are fortunate to come across a variety of interesting species as they monitor orangutans in the field, conduct research, and safeguard the forest. Some of the most eye-catching species we come across are Birds, including:

Hornbills - There are 8 species of hornbill found in Borneo, and they are perhaps the most iconic birds found in the forests of this tropical island. Hornbills are infamous for the large casques on their beaks, the most eye-catching of which is the Rhinoceros Hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros. These impressive birds have brightly coloured beaks, can have a 50-inch wingspan, and typically mate for life.

Rhinoceros Hornbill

Buceros rhinoceros

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Anthracoceros albirostris

The Black Hornbill

Anthracoceros malayanus

Crested Serpent Eagle - Spilornis cheela - These raptors are found in various forest types and can survive in areas of disturbed habitat where other birds may not. In fact it could be said that these eagles prefer forest edges, where they can hunt for a variety of prey from snakes and lizards to small mammals and fish. This adaptability helps make them such a successful raptor species and they can also be found as far as India and the Philippines.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone paradisi - By looking at them, you could be forgiven for thinking that the male and female Asian Paradise Flycatcher are birds of completely different species, such is the contrast in their appearance. Females are modest-looking with black feathers on their heads and brown bodies, whereas adult males have bright white plumage and two enormous tail streamers. It’s thought these feathers are elongated to attract a mate and can grow up to 12 inches- longer than their entire body!

Male

Female

Male

Female

Storm's Stork - Ciconia stormi - This is sadly a species in decline and thought to be the rarest of all storks. Due to the loss of habitat in this part of the world, Storm’s Storks are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List with fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild. These forests in Indonesian Borneo are a real stronghold for this vulnerable species so sightings of breeding pairs are vitally important.

Kingfishers - The easiest way for our field teams to navigate through the forest is via the network of rivers, an ideal habitat for kingfishers. The Stork-billed and Blue-eared Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis & Alcedo meninting) are the most commonly seen species in these forests. Stork-billed are perhaps the most striking as they have large red bills and an explosive alarm call which is then followed by an unusual cack-cack-cack-cack laugh!

Stork-billed Kingfisher

Pelargopsis capensis

Stork-billed Kingfisher

Pelargopsis capensis

Blue-eared Kingfisher

Alcedo meninting

Blue-eared Kingfisher

Alcedo meninting

This is just a selection of the hundreds of bird species found in this diverse tropical forest environment. By supporting our guard posts and habitat restoration programme, your help is ensuring that these important species continue to live in a haven which is protected.

White-Rumped Shama

Copsychus malabaricus

Garnet Pitta

Erythropitta granatina

Greater Coucal

Centropus sinensis

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Black-naped Monarch

Hypothymis azurea

Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler

Macronus ptilosus

Buffy Fish Owl

Ketupa ketupu

Black-and-Yellow Broadbill

Eurylaimus ochromalu

Crestless Fireback

Lophura erythrophthalma

Scarlet-rumped Trogon

Harpactes duvaucelii

Green Broadbill

Calyptomena viridis

Malaysian Blue Flycatcher

Cyornis turcosus

Bursting with life - Primates

We may be the Orangutan Foundation, but our work also protects crucial forest habitat home to a variety of other ecologically significant species. It could be said that the forests we primarily operate in, Tanjung Puting National Park and the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, are truly bursting with life.

These tropical forests are found in one of the most biodiverse corners of the globe in Indonesian Borneo, where Primates make up some of the most captivating fauna. Bornean orangutans are an umbrella species helping to protect habitat for a number of these arboreal mammals, but here are some of the other primates our field team study, monitor, and observe:

Proboscis Monkey - Nasalis larvatus - Perhaps one of the most unusual species found in the forest and indeed the primate world, proboscis monkeys can only be found in the wild on the island of Borneo. It’s thought that the elongated noses of the males help to attract females, and their round bellies containing two stomachs aid the digestion of leaves that other animals cannot eat.

These endangered primates live in close social groups, often in submerged and swamp forests. This means that sometimes they must swim between trees in search of food and to help them do this, proboscis monkeys have evolved partially-webbed hands and feet, making them expert swimmers and helping them avoid predators like crocodiles in the water.

Macaques - There are two species of macaque spotted by our team; the Pig-Tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina), and Long-Tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) also known as Crab-Eating Macaque.

Some roam the forest independently in search of food, but the majority of macaques are found in flexible family groups. They always appear to be on the move and as such are one of the most commonly seen animals captured on our remote forest camera traps.

When it comes to their diet these primates are certainly not picky. Macaques are generally opportunistic omnivores and will feast on anything from leaves and seeds to invertebrates and eggs, it’s this versatility that makes them such a successful primate species around the world.

Langurs - These primates are also called ‘leaf monkeys’ due to their herbivorous diet. Comparatively little is known about their behaviour due to their elusive nature, but our team on occasion have spotted Silver Langur (Trachypithecus cristatus) and Red Langur (Presbytis rubicunda), also known as the Maroon Langur. It’s thought that the White Fronted Langur (Presbytis frontata) has also been caught on remote camera traps in the Belantikan region, another habitat which the Foundation help conserve.

Bornean White-Bearded Gibbon - Hylobates albibarbis - This is another species endemic to Borneo and listed as endangered due to the ongoing threat of habitat loss. Gibbons are neither monkeys or great apes, instead classified as ‘lesser apes’, but are perhaps the fastest primate when it comes to travelling through the canopy. It has been said that their long arms can swing them from branch to branch up to 34mph!

Gibbon pairs often mate for life and travel in small family groups. Each morning they will often strengthen this bond by singing a ‘duet’ which can resonate through the forest over a mile away, notifying other groups of their presence.

Western Tarsier - Cephalopachus bancanus - Also known as Horsfield’s Tarsier, these are the smallest primates found in Borneo. It’s understood that tarsiers are some of the oldest living primates, separated into 18 species which are all found in South East Asia.

Tarsiers are the only entirely carnivorous primates. Using their huge eyes to spot prey in the dark and then springing into action using their long legs, tarsiers feed on a range of nighttime creatures, primarily flying insects such as cicadas, moths, and beetles.

Bornean Slow Loris - Nycticebus borneanus - The large forward-facing eyes of the slow loris also indicate that they are a nocturnal species, perfectly adapted to hunt insects and small vertebrates in the trees.

They may look cute and cuddly, but the slow loris is the only primate known to have venom. Secreted from the brachial gland on their upper arm, it’s not fully understood why slow loris possess a bite which can be venomous. Perhaps this mysterious trait is why slow loris are regarded as the guardians of heaven in some local folklore.

Your support helps us provide a natural home to all of these primate species. Keep up to date on our work and subscribe to our monthly e-news updates to find out what other diverse wildlife species your crucial support protects.

Giant Tomistoma released back into the wild

On Saturday 15th February, our team were on hand to support the dramatic release of a very large adult Tomistoma (also known as a False Gharial); one of the largest that our team have ever seen.

A couple of days beforehand, local government officials were notified of the fact that a crocodile had been found near a village not far from Pangkalan Bun in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. It was reported that the crocodile in question had incredibly already been captured by local villagers to keep their waterways safe, and once our team had arrived a short while later and observed the size of the reptile, it became clear what a herculean task capturing it must have been.

For its safety, the giant reptile is restrained during transportation.

Almost dwarfing the truck it was transported in, it took the efforts of several local people, government officers, and Orangutan Foundation staff to carefully transport the Tomistoma to a safe location in Pangkalan Bun where it could receive a medical examination.

The truly impressive specimen weighing approximately half a tonne was identified as male and measured a remarkable 4.7m from snout to tail. Our team were taken aback by the sheer size of this Tomistoma, and were delighted when physical tests confirmed that the crocodile had no injuries and was in fine health- ready to be released.

Tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii) are a member of the Crocodylidae family and inhabit the rivers and wetlands of South East Asia. Estimates suggest that there are fewer than ten thousand Tomistoma remaining in the wild.

Arriving at a suitable site within Tanjung Puting National Park, it took great care from the team to delicately remove the Tomistoma’s restraints and prepare for its safe release from the transport boat back into the wild. In a final dramatic twist, this large male showed a powerful example of his strength when in one sharp flick of his tail, he was able to shatter the wall of release boat’s kitchen as he descended into the river.

Fortunately no one was injured in the translocation of this large reptile. Collaboration between government rescue teams and local people played an important role in transporting the crocodile to a safe location where is will be able to hunt for food freely in the waters surrounding Tanjung Puting National Park.

Looking back to 2019, and forward to 2020

As we commemorate our 30th anniversary in 2020, the Orangutan Foundation reflects on our work in 2019 and thank all of our supporters for helping us give a future to orangutans, forests and people.

In early 2019, we launched our Sponsor an acre appeal to support the Orangutan Foundation’s Habitat Protection Programme. This programme provided training in SMART technology to monitor orangutan habitat to the 25 local people we employ at our 10 forest guard posts in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve and Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesian Borneo. This area covers over 500,000 acres of diverse tropical forest, home to around 5,000 orangutans.

As a result of continuing forest surveillance, in 2019 our teams recorded fewer instances of illegal activity and habitat encroachment in comparison to previous years. This is an encouraging sign for the protection of orangutan habitat, demonstrating that guard posts are an effective deterrent to illegal logging, mining and farming.

The Orangutan Foundation welcomed local participation in a number of educational workshops and events last year. Highlights included, a three-day Conservation Fun Camp, inviting university students to study at Pondok Ambung Tropical Forest Research Station, and celebrating Primate Awareness Day with local people. In addition to these community events, we also awarded three local research grants to conservationists of the future.

Our Habitat Restoration Programme continued to grow in 2019 with over 20,000 saplings planted in areas of degraded forest habitat. These saplings of fire-resistant species have been grown in purpose-built nurseries and will help establish a healthy forest habitat in the coming years. In line with our 30th anniversary, we hope to plant another 30,000 young trees in 2020, bringing the total to 100,000 since 2015.

A group of 12 dedicated volunteers embarked on a three-week trip to Indonesian Borneo last summer through Orangutan Foundation’s Volunteer Programme. In spite of ‘no skills necessary’, alongside our team they managed to totally renovate an important government building within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, and had the opportunity to observe wild orangutans and other wildlife in the forest.

A combination of particularly dry conditions, illegal hunting and slash-and-burn farming techniques, meant that in 2019 our teams were involved in fighting the highest number of fires since 2015. Without the presence of our trained firefighting staff working with government officials, larger areas of the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve and Tanjung Puting National Park would have succumbed to further burning and habitat loss. We also installed six large wells positioned at strategic locations surrounding critical forest habitat which will be invaluable to fight fires.

The increased number of fires last year may also have contributed to the number of orangutan rescues our team performed. From mid-August to late November alone, our rescue team worked alongside local government officials BKSDA to rescue more orangutans than in the previous couple of years. In total, nine orangutans were translocated to the safety of the protected Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.

Our orangutan soft-release programme continued to care for orphaned infant orangutans at five release sites within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Last year, our team were thrilled to release Shifa into the wild who was rescued as a two-year-old pet in 2016. Shifa excelled at learning essential forest skills, and like orphaned orangutan Panglima who had been rescued in March 2019, was released for an independent life in the wild in June. Pegi, rescued from life as a pet is our most recent newcomer and continues to acquire new skills day by day at her new forest home at Camp Buluh.

In 2019 we welcomed a two new additions to the forest. Seen above, orangutan mother Mores gave birth to baby Marsha at Camp JL in July, followed by Amina who was spotted at Camp Rasak with newborn Albie. Having recorded over 80 orangutan births since 2003, we’ve established a new population of orangutans within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve and our teams look forward to welcoming more newborns in 2020.

Looking to the future, we prepare ourselves for another busy year in 2020, marking our 30th anniversary. All of our UK and Indonesian staff thank you for your support in helping to provide a future for orangutans, forests and people.

Lamandau Wildlife Reserve welcomes new residents

Over the last few months of this year’s dry season alone, Orangutan Foundation staff have helped rescue and translocate double the number of orangutans than in the previous two years in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. One of these handovers was young female Pegi who had been kept inside a cage for the past seven years, but orangutans of course are not the only species that are kept captive illegally.

Earlier this month our teams were called upon once again to assist with wildlife translocations, but this time for different species who had been rescued by government officials or handed over as pets.

Gibbons are released into the forest and explore their new home

A couple of gibbons were the first animals to be released into the forest. Once their transportation crates were opened at Camp Buluh, the pair could be seen climbing to the very top of the canopy where they’re most at home swinging from branch to branch- that was until they were interrupted by male orangutan Yoko. Coming face-to-face with a large primate several times their size might understandably be intimidating for a gibbon new to this habitat, but following a brief pause to observe one another, the individuals soon parted ways and continued roaming through the trees.

Yoko and newly released gibbon lock eyes for a moment

Also released with this pair of apes into the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve was perhaps one of the most beautiful tropical birds found in these forests- the Rhinoceros Hornbill. These large birds are a crucial seed disperser in the forest. After feeding on fruits and berries in the canopy, they can then carry the seeds for many miles before depositing them elsewhere. Our team were elated to see an individual finally stretch it’s winds and be released back into the wild by Camp JL.

A hornbill is transported for release at its new home within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve

Our team’s final translocation was a young female sun bear named Bella. Without its mother, a sun bear cub may find life in the forest challenging as they’re yet to learn the best methods to search and forage for food. It’s for this reason why our team at Camp Gemini have introduced Bella into a habituation enclosure where she can first become accustomed to her forest surroundings before being released.

One-year-old Bella is introduced to her new temporary home at Camp Gemini

It’s worrying to know that some individuals still see wild species as potential pets, but it is at least reassuring for us to know that the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve is a habitat that is protected and can therefore offer the possibility of a new beginning for these wildlife species, as well as orangutans.

To help protect these forests, please show your support between midday 3rd to 10th December 2019 via our Big Give appeal, which will double any donations in this time!

How guard posts play a crucial role in orangutan conservation

At the Orangutan Foundation, two main areas of orangutan forest habitat where we work are Tanjung Puting National Park and the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in Indonesian Borneo. Together they cover over half a million acres of forest- almost twice the size of Hong Kong. It’s therefore essential that the Foundation’s guard post teams are skilled and well trained to monitor the forest and waterways within this vast area.

During regular patrols, the team record wildlife sightings like these recent images from Tanjung Puting National Park.

Habitat loss is the largest threat to orangutan populations today; for example, it is predicted that by 2080, between 70-80% of prime orangutan habitat will be lost in Borneo alone if current trends continue. The role of guard posts as a deterrent therefore is vital to ensure intruders do not encroach or enter these parks illegally, damaging or degrading the environment which is essential for orangutans and other wildlife.

Fire fighting is another important role in the field that make these outpost sites so vital. Each one is prepared with fire fighting equipment, and the Foundation works closely with training and supporting the team to be vigilant in spotting forest fires and then safely extinguishing them with as little damage to the habitat as possible. These fires are a potential threat year on year, in 2015 for example an area the size of Wales was lost to forest fires alone in Indonesia, so to have our team patrolling these sites is of paramount importance to orangutan protection and the surrounding area.

We are incredibly grateful to have such a skilled and hardworking team here at the Orangutan Foundation, but they still require support. Find out how you can help from as little as £2.

Orangutan Foundation vet's surprise river encounter

Orangutan Foundation’s vet, Dr Dimas Yuzrifar and our Reintroduction Manager, Pak Azhari, visit the post-release orangutan monitoring camps, in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve , Indonesian Borneo, on a weekly basis to check up on the orangutans, who live there. Last week, they had an unexpected encounter…

Play time! Okto and Shifa at Camp Buluh January 2019

Their first stop was Camp Buluh, where orphaned orangutans Okto and Shifa were out playing in the trees. Camp Buluh staff said that they were both healthy and active and because they had been given their multi-vitamin and anti-worming injections the week before, they were left to carry on playing.

Okto having his regular boost of essential minerals and vitamins.

Second stop, Camp JL - young orphaned orangutans 5 year old Nyunyu (left) and 3.5 year old Mona (right) playing in the trees.

The next stop was Camp JL to check on Adib and see how his arm was healing and to see Mona, Nyunyu, Timtom and Boy.

Camp JL- 3.5 year-old female orangutan Timtom, January 2019.

The only access to the release camps is by river and so Dr Dimas and Pak Azhari headed off to their final camp of the day, Camp Gemini . Half way through their journey they came across a longboat with an unexpected passenger!

Female orangutan, Sheila in Camp Gemini’s longboat.

Adult female orangutan Sheila and her infant Sony, had untied and taken the longboat, belonging to Camp Gemini, and were using it to cross the river. Sheila was in no hurry to leave the boat but eventually they climbed out onto the river bank and up into a tree. Azhari and Dimas managed to tow the longboat back to Camp Gemini, where the relieved team of Camp Gemini staff were waiting. They’re devising another way to prevent these highly intelligent great apes from taking a boat again!

Young orangutan Adib falls and breaks his arm.

Young orphaned orangutan Adib fell and broke his arm

Poor little Adib has broken his arm. 

As usual, he was playing in the trees at Camp JL but, whilst swinging from one tree to another, he missed and fell to the ground.

Camp staff suspected he had broken his arm as he wouldn’t use it. 

Our vet decided to x-ray Adib’s arm, which revealed a small fracture on his right ulna.

We are not worried about this impacting Adib’s future in the wild. At his young age, bones regenerate rapidly.

Adib’s arm has been fixed to ensure it heals correctly and he has been given anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling and multivitamins and calcium supplements to aid the healing process. 

For the next few weeks Adib will have to stay in a smaller enclosure, which will help him to rest his arm.

Meanwhile, he’s being given some tender loving care and special treats such as banana porridge!

We are sure it will not be long before Adib is back in the trees playing once again with the other orangutans in our soft-release programme, in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Indonesian Borneo.

Hope for orangutans and their forest home

The Indonesian government has announced a presidential instruction, which ordered ministers and regional administrations to ban issuing permits for new plantations for the next three years. We welcome this much needed action. Orangutans can survive, if given a second chance.

Three years ago, in September 2015, we rescued an adult orangutan and her 6-year-old from an oil-palm plantation, which they had entered to escape raging forest fires. Our rescue team managed to capture both orangutans. They named the mother Vania and her offspring Venty. They were released into the protected Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

In 2017, Vania was spotted with a newborn, who we named Volvo. Venty, now aged 8-years-old, was still around too.

This month, field staff at Camp Buluh, in the wildlife reserve, saw Venty (image below) by herself in a tree. They then saw Vania with her very healthy looking one-year-old Volvo.

These orangutans live in a protected area, which is guarded and patrolled by Orangutan Foundation. However, 80% of wild orangutans live outside protected areas. This 3-year ban on plantation expansion is the life-line this critically endangered species need.

Please DONATE to support our work.

Thank you.

Rescued and released orangutans of Lamandau Wildlife Reserve

Our vet, Dimas and programme manager, Iman, have been on their weekly visits to the orangutan release camps in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. They check on the orphaned young orangutans and ensure the good health of the released orangutans.  Their journey took longer than usual because the river levels are very low, due to lack of rain. Instead of travelling by speedboat it was completed in a shallow longboat (or klotok, as they’re called in Indonesia). Our youngest orangutans are cared for at Camp JL and include Timtom, Nyunyu, Adib, Mona (photo below) and Boy. Dimas gave them their multivitamin injection to keep them healthy but they are all well and active.

In the afternoon they continued by longboat to Gemini Camp. This is where blind orangutan Aan lives. Aan was shot and can never be returned to the wild. Her enclosure recently had new ropes (see below).

They walked from camp through the forest to the feeding site, where supplementary fruit is provided. Dominant male, Bangkal came to feeding along with female and infant orangutans; Ilik and Izzy; Hola and Happy; Ebony and Ekon (photos below); and Passion and Paris.  Max was also seen with her newborn infant, now named Monti and they seemed well.

A few days later they went to Camp Buluh, to check on orphan orangutans Okto and Syifa. Okto had injured one of his fingers a few weeks ago but after receiving treatment the inflammation has reduced and is healing well.

Both Okto and Syifa very active and enjoy playing together. Okto was given a final anti-inflammatory injection and both orangutans received their multivitamins.

Conditions are very dry at present and so our guard post staff are vigilant and on alert for fires. All the guard posts are equipment with fire-fighting gear and our staff are trained enabling them to respond quickly and effectively to extinguish fires.

Please help us to keep forests standing and orangutans in the wild. You can support our work by donating or adopting Okto or Mona.

Wild orangutan rescued and moved to safety

When our staff arrived at the oil-palm plantation they found the orangutan in an area of forest, on the riverbank of the plantation. We had been called in to help by BKSDA SKW II Pangkalan Bun (government agency for wildlife) who had received reports from an oil-palm plantation of an orangutan in their plantation. It was decided to capture the orangutan and move her to the protected Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, to avoid potential conflict.

The orangutan, who they identified as female, had made and was resting in a nest. This made it easier to dart her as she wasn’t moving.

What our staff hadn’t anticipated was that she might just remain where she was and fall asleep, making it very difficult to then rescue her. This is just what happened!

One of our rescue team staff, Mr Nasibah, also an expert tree climber, shinnied up the tree to the nest. With huge effort he managed to lower the unconscious orangutan out of her nest.  Our staff on the ground, used netting to catch her, as she fell to the ground.

She was quickly transported to an open area where our vet Dr Dimas, examined her. Apart from a small scratch to her chest, she was in full health, weighing 45 kilos and was thought to be around 18 years-old. The scratch was cleaned and injected with long-acting antibiotics to prevent infection.

Two days later the orangutan was released in the Lamandau Widlife Reserve, on the opposite side of the river from Camp JL. We protect this forest reserve with guard posts and regular forest patrols to prevent and deter illegal activities.

As soon as the transport cage door was opened she actively climbed into the nearby trees and disappeared into the forest.This, we hope, is her last encounter with humans.

The Lamandau Wildlife Reserve totals 158,144 acres of tropical forest and is home to a population of more than 500 orangutans. Half of these were reintroduced or translocated and given a second chance of survival in the wild. We must make sure they are stay safe. Please donate to our urgent appeal – DONATE TODAY

Protecting orangutan habitat

We only send out appeals when there is a real need for help – and right now, we urgently need funds to strengthen the protection of the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, habitat of the critically endangered orangutan.  In January and February, our forest patrol staff detected and tackled fires, deliberately lit to clear land, next to the reserve. They prevented the fires from spreading and saved thousands of acres of peat swamp forest from going up in smoke. In March, we met with the provincial government to push for those responsible for starting the fires, to be held to account.

The Lamandau Wildlife Reserve totals 158,144 acres of tropical forest. The Foundation's staff put themselves at risk as they battled to protect the forests, home to a population of 500 orangutans. Half of these were reintroduced or translocated by the Orangutan Foundation and given a second chance of survival in the wild. We must make sure they are safe. 

It costs a quarter of a million pounds a year to protect the reserve and the wildlife. A significant commitment for a small charity, but a relatively small amount considering the invaluable riches and services the forests contain and provide.

The Orangutan Foundation runs and staffs eight guard posts in and around Lamandau to deter and prevent access to the forests. Our staff, all committed local Indonesian conservationists, patrol on foot or by boat. We use conservation drones and GIS to map and document illegal activities.

The map below shows the guard posts (red triangle on blue).

In 2017, we stopped illegal mining inside the reserve and since the beginning of 2018, our forest patrols have detected and stopped two cases of illegal logging.

Yet, despite years of investment in successful community awareness, there remain a small few who want to exploit the forest for their own interests.  As pressure for land increases our fight to protect standing forest, to stop it being logged or converted to oil palm, will only become more difficult. Protecting Lamandau is an ongoing commitment: we cannot temporarily close a guard post due to insufficient funds, in the hope that we might start up again next year. If we stop protecting the reserve, we know that we will lose it: the forest and its precious wildlife could be gone in an instant.

Bangkal is one of the orangutans at risk. Originally released into the neighbouring Tanjung Puting National Park, Bangkal was severely injured in 2000 when illegal loggers attacked him with boiling-hot oil. Following a long period of recovery, he was released into Lamandau, at Camp Gemini, one of our five release camps in the reserve. Bangkal, now strong, healthy and independent, has since become the dominant male.Aan, an adult female, was shot and permanently blinded in an oil-palm plantation. Foundation staff moved Aan to the Lamandau Reserve, where she now lives with round-the-clock monitoring by our staff and vet.

We also care for ten orphaned infant orangutans at our release camps - plus many dozens of reintroduced and translocated adults that are thriving in the wild under our protection. We owe it to these orangutans to keep their forest home safe.

Please DONATE SECURELY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE, by calling 020 7724 2912, or by sending a cheque payable to ‘Orangutan Foundation’ to Orangutan Foundation, 7 Kent Terrace, London, NW1 4RP. If you are unable to donate immediately but want to make funding pledge, whether through fundraising or a delayed donation, please contact us to discuss options – we will work with you however we can.

Sponsor the protection of Lamandau Wildlife Reserve

• £15 protects 10 acres of forest for one year
• £37.50 protects 25 acres of forest for one year
• £75 protects 50 acres of forest for one year
• £150 protects 100 acres of forest for one year

We must act today to secure the future for orangutans, forests and people.

With sincere thanks,

Ashley Leiman OBE Founder & Director/Trustee

Orangutans need your vote!

Vote for Orangutan Foundation - click here  Following a rigorous selection procedure, the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) has created a shortlist of projects to fund. We’re delighted to be one of them. It now goes to the public to decide who should receive funding! This is why we are asking for your help.

Voting runs from today, 9 March (00.01 GMT) to Friday 23 March (12.00 GMT) 2018.

If we win we will receive funding for our Project: Conserving Orangutan Habitat by Preventing Forest Fires, Borneo.The overall goal is to prevent the loss of protected peat swamp forest, habitat of the critically endangered orangutan, from fire. We know how devastating fires can be. Only last month, our staff had to battle fires around the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. They managed to extinguish them preventing thousands of acres from going up in smoke.

The project will focus on Tanjung Puting National Park and Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, two protected areas in Central Kalimantan, which lost 103,000 hectares to fire, in 2015. EOCA funding will be used to create and distribute an awareness campaign ‘Stop kebakaran hutan dan lahan‘ (Stop forest and land fires). It will focus on the negative socio-economic impacts of fires including tourism losses and health costs.

Funding will provide annual specialist fighting fire training during the dry season to Orangutan Foundation and local authority staff. It will buy equipment for use by the Orangutan Foundation forest patrol staff in the National Park and for the villagers that are close to the Reserve, who attend the firefighting training.

Vote for us today! 

Tujuan proyek:  Tujuan keseluruhan proyek ini adalah untuk mencegah kehilangan  kawasan lindung hutan rawa gambut yang merupakan habitat orangutan terancam punah akibat kebakaran. Proyek ini fokus  di dua kawasan lindung di Kalimantan Tengah yang  pada tahun 2015 hilang 103.000 hektar  akibat kebakaran. Tujuan proyek ini  akan mengurangi pembakaran hutandan lahan oleh warga masyarakat dengan melakukan kampanye penyuluhan, pelatihan, dan menyediakan peralatan pemadaman kebarakan untuk instansi terkait, masyarakat lokal, dan staf Orangutan Foundation.

Dana dari EOCA akan digunakan untuk melakukan kampanye penyuluhan ‘Stop Pembakaran Hutan dan Lahan’. Kampanye tersebut akan menyoroti dampak negatif kebakaran terhadap sosial-ekonomi termasuk kerugian wisata, serta biaya kesehatan. Proyek ini akan mengadakan  pelatihan khusus pemadaman api pada musim kemarau dan pembelian peralatan yang dibutuhkan staf lapangan untuk memadamkan api di dua kawasan hutan tersebut, yang merupakan habitat orangutan.

Orangutan Foundation Poster Competition Winners Announced!

Today is World Wildlife Day and so is perfect timing for us to announce the winning posters of our competition 'The Orangutan's World'!

Our annual competitions never fail to disappoint. Whether it is posters, designing T-shirts, cakes or writing stories, every year we receive hundreds of entries from talented young people, demonstrating their knowledge about wildlife and how much they care.

This year we were delighted to have wildlife artist, Gary Hodges and our patron, wildlife TV presenter, Patrick Aryee as our judges. On Thursday, they trudged through the snow to our HQ, where they had the unenviable task of judging hundreds of wonderful posters. Over to judge, Gary Hodges, for his feedback on the competition...

'On the huge table before us were displayed hundreds of artworks from supporters of the Orangutan Foundation. No ordinary supporters though, they were all drawn from the wild imaginations of children and young teenagers. The TV presenter Patrick Aryee and I certainly had our work cut out.

A couple of hours and lots of head scratching later, we had whittled it down to twenty five best ones. Eventually we picked our absolute favourites and they were all so good we decided to give five rather than three top prizes to these worthy winners. A further bunch of great poster people received highly commended prizes too. What a lovely day!'

The overall winner was Alana Quinn. Both judges felt Alana's poster showed great skill and really stood out. Alana's prizes include a signed Gary Hodges print of 'Majesty' Royal Bengal Tiger, Faber Castell art material and the photobook, The Orangutan's World - a photographic celebration of Bornean wildlife.

Here are the fabulous runner up posters:

Gary is also donating a selection of his postcard books to 20 highly commended posters.

A big thank you to all the children who entered and did their bit for orangutans. Thank you to our judges, Gary and Patrick. Thank you to Gary Hodges, Faber Castell and Usbourne Books for the prizes and to Animals and You magazine for helping to publicise the competition.

Do something for wildlife today!

www.orangutan.org.uk 

Volunteer in Borneo with Orangutan Foundation in 2018

We are looking for a few more adventurous individuals to join our volunteer team in Borneo. This year's project is the renovation of a forest guard post in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.  Volunteers will be working and living on the site, which is a beautiful remote location in the middle of the forest. You will wake up and go to sleep to the sounds of the forest.

Last November, The Guardian ran an article featuring a first-hand account from one of our volunteer. It is well worth a read if you are interested in volunteering.  https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/nov/01/borneo-voluntourism-holiday-orangutan-foundation 

Orangutan Foundation does not allow any of its volunteers to have direct contact with orangutans and this is for the benefit of the apes. Most people understand this and can see the bigger picture of what they are doing.  Watch Orangutan Foundation’s Cathy Smith talking at Compass Ethical Travel Conference about ethical volunteering.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=213&v=3KM4ZBLvo38

If you want to spend a unique 3 weeks doing something worthwhile for orangutan conservation and see orangutans in the wild, then why not make this the year to join us? To find out more please click here or contact us.

Baby orangutan born

We are delighted to announce the arrival of another baby orangutan born into the protected Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Indonesian Borneo. Our staff believe the orangutan was born on 26th January. Mother, Holahonolulu (Hola for short) was seen with her new infant at Camp Gemini's feeding site. We think the father is likely to be Bangkal, the dominant male, as they were seen mating on several occasions.

Both Hola and her baby looked healthy. Hola ate a lot of fruit, the extra energy needed for milk production. As yet, our staff could not tell what sex the baby was.

Hola was born in the wild in December 2004 and her mother was Huber. Huber was rehabilitated by OFI and was released into the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in December 1999, but she has since passed away.

Our staff have yet to name Hola's new baby so we thought we would ask for your help.  Send us your suggestions (leave a comment), it must start with an H and be a unisex name. We will decide on Monday 5th February.

Help us to ensure these orangutans remain in the wild and that their forest home stays protected. Click here to donate today!

Orangutan Foundation - a future for orangutans, forests & people

Vet's first orangutan rescue

The Orangutan Foundation is delighted to welcome Dimas Yuzrifar as its new vet, replacing Dr Steven, who has now returned to Bali. Being "thrown in at the deep end" is certainly how the first week has been for Dr Dimas!  Last weekend we received reports of a wild orangutan in village forest. This was passed onto the government agency for wildlife, BKSDA SKW II Pangkalan Bun.

The orangutan was found close to oil palm, banana and rubber plantations owned by local residents. The villagers feared the orangutan would damage their crops and so BKSDA decided, in this case, to capture and move (translocate) the orangutan, to avoid any conflict arising. Dr Dimas managed to anesthetize the orangutan. After being caught the orangutan was identified as female with an estimated weight of around 25 kg.  The next day after checking the orangutan was well and active she was released into the safety of the protected Lamandau Willdife Reserve.

Watch this clip to see how quickly the orangutan leaves the transport cage and disappears into the forest.

After the busy weekend with the translocation, Dr Dimas also spent time meeting and checking up on the young orangutans in our release camps.  Here's a clip of young Satria playing in his night-time enclosure.

Wonder what the next week will have in store?

Thank you for supporting our work.

Donate to help us keep the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve and its precious orangutans and wildlife protected. Click here to donate - thank you.