Tanjung Puting Nationa...

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.

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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’.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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!

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.

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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!

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.

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!

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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.

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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.

Support orangutan habitat for International Orangutan Day

This week please help us protect 300 acres of crucial orangutan habitat to reach our goal on International Orangutan Day, Wednesday 19th August.

This would be a wonderful reward for our team who have continued to work through lockdown, and for the Foundation as a whole on our 30th anniversary. Importantly however, it would ensure that we can continue to protect and reforest a vital biodiverse ecosystem, home to around 5,000 critically endangered orangutans.

Every sponsor between 12th-19th August will receive an email acknowledgement thanking them for their generosity. It can even be bought as an e-gift by entering a name and email address into the ‘Additional Info’ tab during the checkout process.

It costs just £2 to safeguard an area of tropical forest for a whole year, so truly every tree and every penny counts!

30 years and counting

This year at the Foundation we are celebrating an important milestone- 30 years of conservation.

30 years protecting the critically endangered orangutan. 30 years on the front line guarding the vulnerable tropical forests of Borneo. 30 years collaborating with local people with environmental education and sustainable land-management practices.

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The Orangutan Foundation’s programmes and primary focus is in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Our country office in Pangkalan Bun is responsible for the livelihoods of 55 staff, all of whom are Indonesian from local towns and villages. This means that our dedicated workforce are fully appreciative of their surrounding environment and understand the importance of protecting their nearby forests.

In spite of the difficulties that we are currently all facing around the world, the threat to tropical forests in Borneo remains a constant, and our 10 guard posts are still alert to monitor any cases of illegal activity. These posts contain fire-fighting equipment and continue to play a vital role in protecting over half a million acres of forest across the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve and Tanjung Puting National Park (below).

The Foundation’s five post release monitoring camps within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve (above left) continue to oversee reintroduced orangutans and the 10 young orphans currently in our soft-release programme. These orphans have been rescued from a life in captivity and offered a new chance of a future in the wild by learning essential skills in the safety of a protected forest.

Elsewhere in Tanjung Puting National Park, our remote camera traps are recording a fascinating insight into the diverse forests surrounding Pondok Ambung Tropical Forest Research Station (above right). Clouded leopards, tarsiers, sun bears, proboscis monkeys, and false gharial crocodiles are a handful of the unique species that continue to be observed and studied closely here.

Boy (left) and Timtom (right) are orphaned orangutans at Camp JL within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Learning from each other and the trees in the forest, the pair have the best possible opportunity to acquire the skills necessary for a life in th…

Boy (left) and Timtom (right) are orphaned orangutans at Camp JL within the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Learning from each other and the trees in the forest, the pair have the best possible opportunity to acquire the skills necessary for a life in the wild.

Meanwhile, our Habitat Restoration Programme has also been active in recent months. To date over 75,000 tree saplings have been planted since the devastating forest fires of 2015, and our team of experts are still diligently cultivating a new generation of saplings to reintroduce into the wild. We hope that these young plants which are more resistant to fires, will soon help rejuvenate new patches of forest and form part of a healthy natural ecosystem for years to come.

Saplings are transported from our nursery to an area of degraded forest where they can acclimatise to their new surroundings before being replanted.

Saplings are transported from our nursery to an area of degraded forest where they can acclimatise to their new surroundings before being replanted.

The Orangutan Foundation operates in Indonesia under an MoU with the Ministry of Environment & Forestry and has a responsibility for our own field programmes. We were also the first organisation in the UK to raise awareness of the critically endangered orangutan and its threatened habitat 30 years ago. Despite the challenges that we face today, at the Foundation we know that we can continue our vital work long into the future. If you can, please help us maintain our important ongoing programmes by sponsoring an acre of tropical forest, adopting an orphaned orangutan, or making a donation today.

Our progress relies on the kindness of our supporters, members, and partners, so thank you for your dedicated support.

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.

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.

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.

How guard posts play a crucial role in orangutan conservation

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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.

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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.

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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.

Intimate images of crocodile mother and her newborn hatchlings caught on camera

Reptiles may not be considered the most maternal of creatures, but newly hatched crocodiles are in fact looked after by their mothers until they are strong enough to fend for themselves- often for as long as two years!

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Our monitoring team located in Tanjung Puting National Park were fortunate enough to witness a mother and her nest using remote camera traps so as not to disturb her natural behaviour.

She was observed guarding the nest, listening to her young’s calls as they hatch, and then gently clearing a path for them to emerge from the undergrowth.

If you listen carefully, you can even hear the hatchlings calling from the nest.

Footage such as this is rarely seen, so to be able to use technology in order to witness this intimate behaviour without disturbing the animals is remarkable.

Once hatched and emerged from the nest, the young can be seen exploring their new home.

Hiding in plain sight: After a closer look, several hatchlings can be seen amongst the vegetation.

Hiding in plain sight: After a closer look, several hatchlings can be seen amongst the vegetation.

To be able see this behaviour is exciting for all of us, but also an indicator of the health of these important waterways. Watch this space for any future observations!

Researching fauna and flora in orangutan habitat, Indonesian Borneo

The tropical forests of Borneo and Sumatra provide far more than just a home for orangutans, they are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Our tropical forest research station, Pondok Ambung, is situated on the banks of the Sekonyer River in Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan , Indonesian Borneo.

Camera trap snaps a wild adult male orangutan.

Camera trap snaps a wild adult male orangutan.

Orangutan Foundation researchers monitor and track the health of this ecosystem and the species found here. Our drive to promote tropical forest ecology and conservation to Indonesian students, winning their hearts and support, is crucial to the future of the orangutan and Indonesia’s forests.

This blog post provides a snapshot of some of the species studied and the activities undertaken at Pondok Ambung this year. As you will see, many take place after dark.

Students from school SMAN 1 Pangkalan Bun on a forest night walk looking for signs of wildlife.

Students from school SMAN 1 Pangkalan Bun on a forest night walk looking for signs of wildlife.

Bornean Tarsier (Tarsius bancanus boreanus). A nocturnal primate found at Pondok Ambung Research Station, Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesian Borneo. March 2019. Researchers also detect their presence by the scent of their urine.

Bornean Tarsier (Tarsius bancanus boreanus). A nocturnal primate found at Pondok Ambung Research Station, Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesian Borneo. March 2019. Researchers also detect their presence by the scent of their urine.

Orangutan Foundation researchers fitting camera traps, which require constant maintenance in the humid conditions and with the odd interference from wildlife too!

Orangutan Foundation researchers fitting camera traps, which require constant maintenance in the humid conditions and with the odd interference from wildlife too!

Introducing high school students to camera traps.

Introducing high school students to camera traps.

Pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) known locally as monyet beruk

Pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) known locally as monyet beruk

False gharial crocodile (Tomistoma schlegelii) can reach more than 5m in length.

False gharial crocodile (Tomistoma schlegelii) can reach more than 5m in length.

Two excited crocodile researchers! Orangutan Foundation support their studies with a research grant.

Two excited crocodile researchers! Orangutan Foundation support their studies with a research grant.

Individual crocodiles are tagged and monitored.

Individual crocodiles are tagged and monitored.

Local high school students using traditional and new ways to identify species.

Local high school students using traditional and new ways to identify species.

Phenology studies. In March, observations along a transect found 25 species of tree flowering and fruiting, many orangutan food trees such as papung and ubar.

Phenology studies. In March, observations along a transect found 25 species of tree flowering and fruiting, many orangutan food trees such as papung and ubar.

Squirrel - feeds on fruit and nuts and can help to spread seeds when accidentally dropping them whilst gathering and carrying.

Squirrel - feeds on fruit and nuts and can help to spread seeds when accidentally dropping them whilst gathering and carrying.

Caught on camera, but who did it? Orangutan, bear, deer or pig?

Camera traps are a window into the fascinating and private lives of wildlife. Maintaining and keeping the cameras working in the hot humid and damp conditions of a rainforest is an ongoing challenge. Battling the elements is something our researchers are prepared for but they were shocked to find that one of the camera traps had been severely damaged, torn apart and discarded broken, 2 meters away from its original position. Who had done this?

Damaged camera trap

Damaged camera trap

What the culprit hadn’t realised was that the data before the incident was undamaged and so our researchers could look back and see who had been out and about! Their suspects were orangutan, sunbear, deer and wild pigs.

Orangutan

Orangutan

Sun bear

Sun bear

Was it a deer?

Was it a deer?

Wild pig

Wild pig

On closer examination there were bite marks on the camera and it had been pulled off the tree. A sun bear could pull it off but there weren’t any claw marks and these would be evident. We suspect it must have been an orangutan. They are a highly intelligent and curious species and this is why it probably wanted to inspect the unusual device it found in its forest home. This is alone is a reason we need to continue to find out about them and work to conserve them.

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.

The future of conservation is in our hands

The survival of the critically endangered orangutan and its forest habitat lies in the hands of Indonesia's youth. Their opinions, decisions and actions will determine its future existence in the wild. This is why awareness and capacity building is vital to the long-term conservation of this threatened great ape.

This month the Orangutan Foundation, and other local organisations, delivered a series of lessons to senior school, SMAN 3 Pangkalan Bun (Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo). Our Research Manager, Arie, talked about the importance of research and our work at Pondok Ambung Research Station in Tanjung Puting National Park. The Orangutan Foundation's Forest Patrols Manager, Jakir, led an inspiring session about photojournalism.

Why is Pondok Ambung Research Station important? 

Every few months our staff move camera traps to a different location within the research study site. Just some of the wildlife documented so far includes clouded leopards, sun bears, muntjac, crested fireback (forest pheasant), mouse deer, tree mouse, frogs and pig tailed macaques.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They also monitor tree phenology, recording which species of tree are in flower or fruiting and which consumer species are feeding from them and how often.

Our research station was renovated by last year’s volunteer team and is now much better equipped to hosted  visitors. In January, 65 students visited. The students participated in wildlife observations, learnt field skills, watched and discussed a wildlife trade documentary and planted 500 tree seedlings, at Pondok Ambung’s forest restoration site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The success of the event was due to the collaborative efforts of Orangutan Foundation staff and other organisations including; Bagas the Traffic / IUCN Redlist Ambassador for Kalimantan; Fajar from OFI, the FNPF, BTNTP and FK3I. The event was supported by the National Park’s tour operators and guides who provided a free klotok (longboat) as did FNPF.

Please donate to support our work - it is needed to secure a future for oranguans, forests and people. DONATE HERE

Wild cats at Pondok Ambung station, Indonesian Borneo

Below are some images taken from camera traps at Pondok Ambung Research Station, Tanjung Puting National Park. In 2017, Orangutan Foundation, awarded three research scholarships to Indonesian students. One of them is Reza Bayu Firmansyah. Reza is conducting research on the density and distribution of wild cat species to complete his Master's Degree at UGM - Gajah Mada University.

Around the Pondok Ambung Research Station area our staff and Reza think there are 3 individual clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi) all from one family. A male, female and juvenile this based on their size and where they where and when they were photographed.

Clouded leopards are a threatened species and it is vital that we learn more about them. Pondok Ambung Tropical Forest Research Station is located in Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesian Borneo and is run by the Orangutan Foundation in co-operation with Tanjung Puting National Park Authority.

Please donate to support our work.

Thank you.

 

 

 

An Orangutan Foundation snapshot - 2017

Here is a snapshot of the Orangutan Foundation’s year in the field, thanks to our dedicated Indonesian staff. Most importantly, thank you for your ongoing support. We truly could not do, what we do, without you. January: Miners evicted from the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve and mining equipment confiscated.

February: Attempts to restore sight to blind orangutan Aan sadly fail but her story galvanises support for her cause. We continue to care for Aan to ensure she has the best quality of life possible.

March: Infant orphans, Mona (top) and Nyunyu (below), are rescued and enter our Soft Release Programme, bringing it to 10 young orangutans being cared for.

April: Orangutan Foundation, active on Earth Day, involving young Indonesian’s in cleaning up rubbish in their local environment.

May: Publication of our new photo book promotes the wonders of the orangutan’s world and raises vital funds for forest restoration.

The Orangutan's World - available for purchase

June: A new orangutan birth in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Venty shows off her new baby, Volvo.

 

 July: Another birth!  Dedek gives birth to a healthy baby, named Dublin.  Orangutans Jessica and Ketty, are released back to the wild!

 

August: Orangutan Foundation staff help tackle fires and stop them spreading to the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.

September: Orangutan Foundation Patrols in Tanjung Puting National Park remove and destroy illegal fishing traps, which also pose a threat to other wildlife species.

October: Bangkal, an ex-captive rehabilitated orangutan, reminds all who is King of Lamandau!

November: 22,000 tree saplings planted out in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in 2017

December: A wild female orangutan is rescued from a beach resort and translocated to the safety of the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.

And to finish off our year here's Adib, the latest orphan orangutan to join us in November, making his first climb at Camp JL, in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.

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Have your donation doubled for free and support Borneo's wildlife conservationists

From 28th November until 5th December you can DOUBLE your donation through the Big Give Christmas Challenge, at no extra cost to yourself. Click here to donate and double your impact to support our work. This year our we are raising funds to inspire Borneo’s future conservationists. In this clip Arie, Research Manager of Pondok Ambung, our tropical forest research station in Tanjung Puting National Park, explains why it is important.

We use camera traps to monitor the wildlife in the forests surrounding Pondok Ambung. Watch this short clip to see some of the species we’ve managed to capture on film!

To protect Indonesia’s biodiversity, future conservationists need to be encouraged and supported.

Orangutan Foundation hosted 53 visiting Indonesian silviculture students from Bogor Agricultural University in June.. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

Our research station is a base from where Indonesian students and international scientists can conduct research. Take a virtual tour below:

Please help us to ensure a future for orangutans, forests and people.

Image© Helen Delachaux.

Thank you for your support. Click here to DOUBLE YOUR DONATION through the BIG GIVE.

Image© Orangutan Foundation.

 

Meet Aan the orangutan

To celebrate Orangutan Awareness Week, we are telling the stories of some of the orangutans who have been given a second chance thanks to your support for our work, but unfortunately, not all have a second chance in the wild. Aan

Aan, 2013. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

Aan is a blind orangutan. She first came to us in 2012, having been found stranded on an oil-palm plantation, after being shot over 100 times with an air gun. The injuries sustained left Aan blind. You can read more about her rescue here.

X-ray taken in 2012 of Bornean orangutan, Aan’s skull, showing pellets. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

In 2016, we arranged for an ophthalmic surgeon to visit Aan to see if there was any chance of restoring her sight, with the hope that one day she could return to the wild. Aan underwent surgery but it soon became clear that the damage sustained was too severe and Aan would be permanantly blind.

Aan, blind orangutan. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

Aan lives in a purpose-built enclosure at Camp Gemini, where our vet clinic is located, in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Our staff give her the best quality of life that is possible, but sadly Aan can never return to the forest, where she belongs.

Aan in her permanent enclosure, with enrichment. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

Aan’s story serves as a heartbreaking reminder that the threat to orangutans caused by habitat loss is a very real one. Please support our care of Aan during Orangutan Awareness Week by donating here.

Meet Kotim the orangutan

It is Orangutan Awareness Week and each day we will bring you a story about the orangutans in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Thanks to your support we are protecting their forest home the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve and keeping them wild and free. Kotim

Kotim, February 2017. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

Kotim was rescued in 2014. She was handed over to Orangutan Foundation after being illegally kept as pet. Sadly, we can only assume that her mother was killed.

Kotim, 2015. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

At three-years-old Kotim was too young to be released back into the wild and so entered into the care of our Soft-Release Programme, at Camp Rasak in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Indonesian Borneo. Kotim joined another infant orphan, Torup. They became playmates and together practised their nest-building and climbing skills.

Kotim and Torup in the trees, 2016. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

By April 2016, Kotim was deemed to have all the skills needed to survive in the forest and was successfully released. She is still occasionally seen by Orangutan Foundation staff. In December 2016, Kotim was seen with adult female orangutan Acuy and her infant, Ariel.

Acuy and Ariel. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

Support Kotim during Orangutan Awareness Week. Please donate to help us protect her tropical forest home. Keep forests standing and orangutans in the wild.

Please donate here.

Here's a video of Kotim whilst under our care in our Soft-Release Programme:

Meet Bangkal the orangutan

To celebrate Orangutan Awareness Week, we are telling the stories of some of the orangutans who have been given a second chance thanks to your support for our work. Bangkal

Bangkal, dominant male of the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

In the late 1980’s Bangkal was an orphaned infant, being kept as a pet. He was rescued, rehabilitated over many years, and then released into Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan Indonesian Borneo.

Bangkal in 2000. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

In 2000, when illegal logging was rife in Indonesia’s National Parks, Bangkal became the victim of a horrifying incident. Illegal loggers threw hot oil over him resulting in a burn down his face and neck.

During his recovery, Bangkal protected himself from annoying insects, by using a blanket to cover his injured face. Once recovered, Bangkal was released again but this time into the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.

Now aged around 28 years-old, cheek-padded Bangkal is magnificent. He is the dominant male around Camp Gemini and is thought to have fathered many offspring.

Bangkal, during a visit to the feeding station by Camp Gemini. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

Support Bangkal during Orangutan Awareness Week! Please donate here to help us protect Bangkal in his forest home.

Meet Holahonolulu the orangutan

To celebrate Orangutan Awareness Week, we are telling the stories of some of the orangutans who have been given a second chance thanks to your support for our work. Holahonolulu

Holahonolulu in 2015. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

Holahonolulu is a wild born adult female orangutan. Her mother, Huber, was released into the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve in around 2000 and Holahonolulu was born in 2004. Huber unfortunately passed away in 2012.

Holahonolulu in 2016, with a wild male. Image© Sophie Hanson.

Holahonolulu is often seen by Orangutan Foundation staff at the feeding station, close to Camp Gemini. She been observed with Bangkal, a dominant male, mating on several occasions.  Orangutans have a gestation period of about 9 months, it is slightly shorter than humans. Watch this space for the announcement of a new arrival in a few months’ time!

Bangkal, dominant male in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Image© Orangutan Foundation.

We are delighted when released orangutans go on to produce future generations. The orangutans of Lamandau Wildlife Reserve are now a healthy, viable and growing population.

Support Holahonolulu during Orangutan Awareness Week here! Please donate to help us protect her tropical forest home.

Why Orangutan Foundation needs your support, more than ever.

If you are a member or supporter you will already know that our priority is protecting orangutan habitat. If we keep forests standing we can ensure orangutans stay in the wild (see video below of wild male). In the past few months our committed Indonesian staff, working on the front-line of conservation, have successfully:

  • Detected and prevented illegal activities within two protected areas, home to thousands of Bornean orangutans and many other critically endangered or threatened species.

  • Prevented the spread of fires to the Lamandau Wildllife Reserve, home to an estimated 500 Bornean orangutans.

  • Nurtured tens of thousands of tree saplings and planted in degraded forest areas of Tanjung Puting National Park and the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve.

  • Trained our staff and community to prepare for and tackle fires

  • Engaged with the Indonesian government and companies to implement best forest management in unprotected orangutan habitat.

We do all this so that wild orangutans, like the one below, stay wild.

We need your help to continue doing this. If you haven’t already, please consider setting up a regular donation click here to support our vital work. Please also help by sharing this blog post.

Thank you,

From Orangutan Foundation - A future for orangutans, forests and people.