Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 Orangutan-100 Rescue and Translocation Appeal One-Way Ticket to Freedom: Only US$1000 You could save the life of a wild Orangutan! Funding proposal for the intensive Rescue and Translocation of 100 wild orangutans in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Including village education and awareness programs around existing and proposed palm-oil plantations. Background Expansion of palm-oil plantations in Central Kalimantan from 1999 to 2003 increased by 50% to approximately 286.000 hectare (ha). In less than six months from 2003 to mid 2004 the increase has been catastrophic and the plantations now cover some 380.000 ha. Proposals for expansion of an additional 2.5 million ha are lying on the tables of Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, the Minister of Agriculture and the President. On a provincial level there is support for the expansions while there have been delays from the central government due to the presidential election. Of these 2.5 million ha. over 1 million ha. are land-sites already cleared. The remaining areas are either already selectively logged, (but still good forest) or primary tropical forest, with populations of orangutans, gibbons, sunbears, slow-loris, proboscis monkeys and millions of other species. Opening these areas for palm-oil plantation will mean total clear-cutting of the forest, an absolute catastrophe! The result would be a virtual total loss of all flora and fauna: a very high probability of species extinction within the proposed areas. If the 2.5 million ha proposal is accepted, Central Kalimantan is heading for its second environmental catastrophe in less than a century. The first was the planned destruction of 1 million ha of primary forest for rice fields, which resulted in disaster, as the soil was not suitable for rice production. This land clearing is now causing extensive flooding of Southern Central Kalimantan and large parts of South Kalimantan. During the last year and a half, BOS-Nyaru Menteng has been operating in one palm oil plantation, the PT. Makin Group), in the area of Parenggean. The concession is 30.000 ha, of which approx 65% has already been opened and converted to palm oil production over the last two years. The area of Parenggean is still mainly primary lowland forest with a high density of orangutans, gibbons, sun-bears, slow loris, proboscis monkeys and many other species. Once the forest habitat has been destroyed, the many animal species have nowhere to turn for food and shelter. Many die of starvation while others are killed as they resort to foraging from fruit trees in nearby villages or newly converted oil-palm plantations. There are very clear national and international laws on forest clearing practices and the protection of endangered species, but sadly these laws are rarely followed. The law requires that forest corridors are left open for animals to escape from clearing activity. However, these animals represent a commercial value, not only for their meat or medicine, but as items to be sold through local markets as illegally owned pets. Many endangered species eventually reach international destinations throughout the world including Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and other countries including many in the west. Because of their value, they are instead strategically trapped into small islands of forest made by the plantation workers. Then, as bulldozers move in to destroy the last standing trees, the animals have nowhere to run but into the already open areas where poachers are waiting with their guns and machetes. Orangutans, sun-bears and gibbons are the most highly valued animals and so sadly amongst the most often killed. In the last year and a half, BOS-Nyaru Menteng has rescued 35 orangutans and 7 gibbons from this one palm oil plantation. Before an agreement was made between PT. Makin Group and BOS-Nyaru Menteng, unbelievably, the company paid local people a bounty of 150.000 Rp (17 U$/ 13 EU) for each orangutan killed, to avoid any of their oil palms to be destroyed by the orangutans in search for food. An arm, a leg or the head had to be brought to the individual managers as proof of the killing. This is, of course, a totally illegal and deplorable practice. Now we work closely together with PT Makin Group plantation managers. We have made an agreement for the daily managers to report directly to BOS-Nyaru Menteng if there are any problems with orangutans at their plantation or in the surrounding villages. As a result, they have now stopped giving bounties for slaughtered animals. Because such illegal practices are common, it is very important that we seek co-operation with all other companies who operate in Central Kalimantan. During the last two years, at least 1000 infant orangutans have been systematically smuggled out of the country to Thailand and other countries. Many of them have undoubtedly died, most probably orphans from organized killings in the expanding palm-oil plantations. 300 infants have been found to date in Thailand and will need to be repatriated quickly. Proposal In order to stop this slaughter of innocent animals, we need to seek co-operation with all the existing oil-palm companies in Central Kalimantan. This will partly be done by communication with the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Ir. Bungaran, who supports our work, and has agreed to sign a letter addressed to all oil-palm companies operating in Kalimantan and Sumatra. The letter will address the problem with orangutans and demand co-operation from the companies to support the work of BOS. An important task will be an education/awareness program to all the palm-oil plantations in Central Kalimantan and the surrounding villages. This being an almost impossible task for just one season, we have identified some high problem areas, most of them situated between the Mantaya and the Katingan rivers. We will concentrate our initial efforts here, because of the high density of orangutans and the fact that people are still eating orangutan meat in this area. The PT.Makin Group with whom we already work, have asked for our help to educate and raise awareness in the surrounding villages of their newly acquired 40.000 ha concession on the Katingan river, and to help in trans-locating orangutans trapped in their expanding plantation. In just this one proposed concession at least 400-600 orangutans live, and their forest is going to be destroyed. We propose to trans-locate these animals to a safer area close to the Mawas protected forest. We propose to trans-locate at least 100 orangutans and probably hundreds of other animals in the current dry season. Intensive and speedy translocations are a necessity as the quarantine facilities at BOS-Nyaru Menteng are limited. We have only 12 cages strong enough to hold wild orangutans. The orangutans will have to spend approx 1 week at BOS-NM for health checks (Hep A,B, C, TBC, Herpes simplex) before being transported by helicopter to their new forest. Our annual budget is already strained by taking care of 274 orphans and regular monthly rescues/translocations. Plans are to have three rescue teams (at the moment we have only one) and one education/awareness team. At least two rescue teams must be operational at all times. One team will consist of 5 BOS-Nyaru Menteng / BOS-Wanariset staff: one driver, one paramedic, two NM keepers and one person specialized in rescues. One Forest Police Officer will join each team. On location, an additional 4 – 6 local people will be hired to help. We hope to be able to work together with some of the experienced staff from BOS-Wanariset for the rescues and education/awareness because it would take time to train new people…time we do not have. The education/awareness team will be on the road as intensively as possible and as needed. This is expensive work because most of it requires river transport, which is extremely costly in Central Kalimantan, especially further into the interior. In order to save as many wild orangutans as possible, we need to better equipped. At the moment, we just get along with one old unreliable tranquillizer gun, a car that regularly breaks down, partly broken camping equipment and staff using private clothing. In the budget below, these costs are additional to the operational costs of the rescue and relocations themselves, but not less important. Equipment is also a one-off investment and will not have to be repeated for the next season. For your adopted wild orangutan, the donation of US$1000 will cover: 1. The Rescue Operation Including the cost of fuel, food and allowances for the rescue team, daily labour and operational costs. 2. Parts and New Equipment Including an additional vehicle, tranquillizer guns, Walkie-talkies, a satellite phone, camping equipment, boots, binoculars, winches for the cars and transport cages, etc. 3. The Health Checks Including veterinary & medication costs on capture; also food whilst in transit and at Quarantine clinic. 4. The Relocation Which includes transport by helicopter, transport for crew to location by land, foods and allowances for crew. 5. Education & Awareness Campaign Which includes transport of team, food, allowances and educational materials such as brochures, stickers, posters and t-shirts. As a sponsor, you will be sent details about the orangutan, such as where it was captured and under what circumstances, its age, weight, condition, etc, on arrival. We will send a photo of the orangutan on arrival or at capture and one of the release. Those individuals, groups or companies who sponsor the life of a wild orangutan have the opportunity to have their names and links to their websites on the front page of the BOS websites. An itemised proposal is available upon request. Contact BOS-UK to make a donation of any size or for more information: www.savetheorangutan.org.uk or email bos_uk in the USA: www.orangutan.com Intl:www.savetheorangutan.info ===== _________ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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