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.

Butterflies and birds - diversity of life!

The Orangutan Foundation is proud to support Indonesian students conducting research at Pondok Ambung Tropical Forest Research Station in Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. We want to encourage and help young Indonesian scientists and researchers.  Yusi (at the front) and Harri (in the middle) conduting their research in Tanjung Puting National Park. Photograph by Brian MatthewsIn 2009, we provided two grants, one to Yusi Indriani for her research into the diversity of butterfly species around Pondok Ambung and one to Harri Purnomo for his research into the diversity of bird species. The students spent two months at Pondok Ambung conducting their research. Yusi Indriani (in the middle) presenting her research results to Ashley Leiman (left), the Orangutan Foundation Director, Rene Bonke (right), a German Tomistoma researcher and Hudi DW (just left of centre), the Orangutan Foundation Programme Coordinator in Orangutan Foundation Pangkalan Bun office.Yusi recorded over 80 butterfly species. Orangutan FoundationI hope to bring you more news about Pondok Ambung and its amazing wildlife soon.Thank you,Hudi W.D.Orangutan Foundation Programme Co-ordinator