Wild Orangutan Rescue Appeal

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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

 

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