Orangutan Foundation

Category: Orangutan Foundation Staff, Orangutans, Uncategorized, Yayorin | Date: Apr 29 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

The blog powers-to-be, who with an iron fist, gently encourages me to update on a regular basis, has informed me that a blog post featuring myself would be ‘interesting’. Alas, dear readers, because our vet has been busy in the field, and has not written new blog posts for a few weeks (which reminds me, I need to show him my own iron fist), and Stephen has left, leaving a vacuum of wrestling with crocodiles and dancing with orangutans blog posts, you now have to learn more about me.

Born and raised in Malaysian Borneo, I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged a love of reading. We had subscriptions to the National Geographic, Asiaweek, etc, all of which opened my mind to various global points-of-views. This was vital after all, I was living in a very government-controlled media, and the internet was still birthing. In the early 90’s, western environmentalists descended upon Sarawak to protest against logging. They chained themselves to tractors, they waved banners, and told us to save our rainforests. The local media mocked them, and made comments about their ‘obese size’. I, in return, was fascinated by the non-rebuttal the local media had, against these westerner’s claims.

I knew early on in my teens, that I wanted a career in conservation. If you would ask me what my defining moment was, I would say that it would be the early 90’s furore of early environmentalism, of the world’s spotlight onto Sarawak and its logging practices, and treatment of indigenous peoples, particularly the Penans.

After my BSc. studies (in Biological Sciences) from Simon Fraser University, I was fortunate to be selected for a summer internship at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. I missed my graduation for this opportunity and have no regrets! However, I knew then that I wanted to return home and work in conservation, particularly orangutan conservation.

When I returned to Sarawak, I started working for Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Malaysia, as a field assistant, and working my way up to full-time researcher. I worked for WCS for over seven years, of which most of those years was spent surveying wild orangutans in Batang Ai National Park and Lanjak-Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary. Orangutan Foundation UK by the way, was responsible in giving my first grant to survey wild orangutans! I am grateful in coming full circle with this organization.

I was also very interested in the human face of conservation, other than wildlife research, so spent those same years, volunteering for a local nature society. Over time however, I became more sympathetic of the indigenous peoples struggles to save their lands from encroachment, and often being displayed as the bad guy by both sides! It was also personal because my peoples are the Krokong Bidayuh, which is a very small minority of Sarawak’s ethnic groups. My family’s continuing work to help preserve our culture through documentation, inspired me to seek other conservation opportunities, where there is a sincere collaboration with the local peoples.

I’ve always kept an eye on the Orangutan Foundation (OF), and its growth over the years. One thing that intrigued me was its close partnership with a strong local community organization, Yayorin. I value that OF recognizes its strengths, but also acknowledges that it can’t do all well hence entrusting the community work to a strong, committed organization. Believe me, Yayorin is a wholly equal partner to the work that we do, and I am fascinated that despite the seemingly clashing differences (i.e. conservation and locals people’s needs), OF and Yayorin are able to work as one, for similar goals. This was the opportunity I was searching for after I left WCS Malaysia (a wonderful and strong research organization by the way), and am thusly very grateful.

These last couple of months with OF have been very fulfilling and educational, and although I haven’t had the chance to jump in crocodile-infested rivers (although according to my culture, the crocodile is one of our ancestors so technically, I ought to be ok) or have other exciting field stories (current work demands my time at the OF office, and government offices), I promise perhaps one day, I’ll tell you about the time I was chased by a sunbear and came face-to-face with a 3 metre albino python. Or the time where I was less than a metre away on being grabbed by a wild male adult orangutan in the wilds of Lanjak-Entimau, Sarawak. The time I almost danced with an orangutan.

Tags: Borneo, conservation, Orangutan Foundation, Orangutans, Yayorin

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Category: Orangutans, Rehabilitation, Uncategorized | Date: Apr 28 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

Please see below a summary of a press release by The Linnean Society of London and the World Land Trust.

On the 30th April 2009 at 18.00-19.00 British time, the World Land Trust and Linnean Society of London will host the widely anticipated ‘Great Ape Debate’. The debate will be streamed live onto the organisation’s websites allowing a huge public audience for what is expected to be a lively and informative debate.

The destruction of huge areas of orangutan habitat is now seriously threatening the species with extinction and leading conservationists in the field hold conflicting views on how best to ensure the survival of “the person of the forest”.

This debate will focus on the controversy surrounding Orangutan conservation and whether rehabilitation and reintroduction of rescued captive animals is a viable way of conserving Orangutans or would resources be better spent on the purchase, protection and recreation of their natural habitats? Experts are divided in their opinions, and this forum, consisting of conservation experts and scientists , will pool their views and open the debate to the floor in what should prove to be an intriguing and lively discussion. The issues raised will also be relevant to the conservation of other species.

The debate will be chaired by The Earl of Cranbrook, and making up the panel will be:

Dr Marc Ancrenaz - Director of Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation Project

Mr John A Burton, FLS - Founder and CEO of World Land Trust

Dr David J. Chivers, FLS - University Reader in Primate Biology and Conservation, Veterinary Anatomy Programme and Head Wildlife Research Group at Cambridge University.

Ms Ashley Leiman, OBE - Founder and Director of Orangutan Foundation (UK)

Mr Ian Redmond, OBE - Ambassador, UN Year of the Gorilla and Chief Consultant, GRASP – UNEP/UNESCO Great Ape Survival Project.

The link for the debate is http://www.worldlandtrust.org/videos/great-ape-debate.htm or www.linnean.org.

Tags: Great Ape Debate, Orangutan Foundation, Orangutans, Rehabiliation

2 responses so far

Category: Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve, Orangutans, Other wildlife, Uncategorized | Date: Apr 24 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

Chris and Maina in answer to your question about Lamandau’s carry capacity. Surveys took place in 1997/8, when Lamandau was gazetted, revealing an insignificant wild orangutan population. The Lamandau camp managers have always kept a record of every orangutan sighted and based on what we know we believe Lamandau has the capacity to take at least another 100 released orangutans.

This may be of interest to some readers. The Bornean Wild Cat and Clouded Leopard Project blogged yesterday that they have obtained their first photograph of a flat-headed cat.

‘This is the first time this species has been photographed within the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve and this record means that the Ulu Segama is the first known forest on Borneo where there is definitive evidence of the existence of the entire 5-species Bornean felid guild.’

To follow their blog please click on this link http://borneanwildcat.blogspot.com/2009/04/flat-headed-cat-photographed-in-danum.html

Tags: Borneo, flat-headed cat, orangutan

2 responses so far

Category: Orangutans, Uncategorized | Date: Apr 23 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

Last Saturday afternoon, the foyer of a Brighton-based branch of Sainsbury’s supermarket played host to my first awareness & fundraiser day for the Orangutan Foundation. Myself (a past field volunteer and now intern for the Foundation), Dan (a past field volunteer and subsequently Co-ordinator for the 2008 Volunteer Programme) and my two very kind and willing friends Grace and Vikki, set up stall and spent the day taking turns donning Nick, the Foundation‘s orangutan suit.

Sam is on the left and Dan on the right.

Sainsburys very kindly let us into the store to wander the aisles and drum up a bit of a buzz… and that we did to everyones amusement.

Bar the few terrified children and check-out girl who I made scream, fun was had by all and we raised just shy of £250 and hundreds of our leaflets were taken by interested shoppers. The day, whilst a trial run, was very succesful. If any one is interested in helping out on future fun days like this, or would like to set up their own, then don’t hesitate to contact us on info@orangutan.org.uk.

Thanks,

Sam

Tags: fundraising, Orangutan Foundation, Orangutans, supermarkets

One response so far

Category: Orangutan Foundation Staff, Uncategorized | Date: Apr 21 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

We held Stephen’s farewell party on Saturday night, and various representatives from local NGOs and government stood up and described how much they enjoyed working with Stephen over the past years, and also what they’ve learnt from him. Stephen tried to hide a tear or two, but we noticed

Stephen proudly displaying a portrait drawn by our new Programme Coordinator, Pak Hudi

Stephen’s gift from Yayorin

Stephen and Pak Ade, former Head of Section II, Conservation & Natural Resources Agency. Pak Ade took a break from his Ph.D studies, and flew from Bogor, Java to attend Stephen’s farewell party!

Ms Ully (Office Manager), June Rubis (Programme Manager), Yarrow Robertson (Director of Indonesia Programme)

Stephen reading his gift from us all, his leaving book

Ully, Astri, Stephen and Yarrow

Pak Teguh (Guard Posts Supervisor) surprised us all with his own unique gift for Stephen.

Everybody wanted to shake Stephen’s hand one last time!

Tags: Borneo, conservationist, Orangutan Foundation

2 responses so far

Category: Forest Fires, Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve, Orangutan Foundation Staff, Orangutans | Date: Apr 20 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

Many thanks for your excellent questions and comments. Here’s the answers to some of your questions.

Sheryl you asked about illegal burning - most of the illegal burning occurs at the southwestern side of Lamandau where it is prone to fires (vandals tend to set fires as to encourage new grass to flourish, and thus attract deer). Fire-fighting is one of our more important operations in Lamandau that we take seriously, and all our guardposts are equipped with fire-fighting equipment.

Maina you asked how many orangutans are in Lamandau. Since 1998, 160 orangutans have been released in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. As well, it is estimated there are a few hundred wild orangutans found in the Reserve.

Hope to post some photos from Stephen’s farewell party tomorrow.

Thanks,

June

Tags: Borneo, conservationist, Forest Fires, Orangutans

2 responses so far

Category: Orangutan Foundation Staff, Uncategorized | Date: Apr 20 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

Tal B and Brigitta thank you very for your monthly donations and thank you Anne K for your donation of $100.

It was Stephen’s leaving do (My Fun In The Forest Is Drawing To An End) on Saturday night - we await the photos! Meanwhile here’s a selection of photos of Stephen at ‘work’.

Wishing you all the best for the future Stephen,

Orangutan Foundation - UK office

Another hard day at the office

Not sure if this is taken before of after Stephen’s skydive in an orangutan suit - after I think!

Stephen and Mr Hudi

Operation on the adult male orangutan Kusasi

Stephen and Zidane

Stephen climbing up a radio mast

You’ll be missed!

Tags: Borneo, conservationist, Orangutans, Wildlife

2 responses so far

Category: Guard posts and patrols, Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve, Lamdandau Vet, Orangutans, Uncategorized | Date: Apr 14 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

Dr. Fikri, our new vet who works specifically for the released orangutans in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, put orangutan Zidane on a special weight gain diet last month. We are happy to tell you that Zidane has gained 3 kg and he is getting stronger each day.

Our on-going protection for Lamandau continues with regular patrols, and this month, the patrol team led by Pak Jak (Patrol Manager of Lamandau Ecosystem Conservation Partnership) installed billboards on all the Lamandau guard posts to help enforce no-burning in the Reserve. (This short update was sent by June Rubis, who is taking over from Stephen this month)

Matthew K, thanks as always for your monthly donation.

Many thanks,

Cathy - Orangutan Foundation

Tags: Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve, orangutan, vet

3 responses so far

Category: Other wildlife | Date: Apr 09 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

I don’t know what is going on this year. It seems crocodiles are keeping us busier than orangutans: this weekend’s little extra curricula activity was dissecting a large saltwater crocodile that died after being caught in a fisherman’s net.

Stephen and Mr Hudi with the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).

An already unpleasant task was made more so by the fact that, by the time the crocodile arrived in Pangkalan Bun, it was bloated and starting to decay. Miss Ully, our office manager who came along out of interest, caught one whiff of the crocodile and promptly vomited. I gagged twice during the dissection.

Saltwater crocodile (crocodylus porosus).

Despite the grimness it was actually an interesting exercise. The crocodile was very large – just over 4m. Its stomach was empty except for some stones which crocodiles often ingest to help with digestion, some seeds and a balled up fishing net. We will clean up the skull and put it on display in Tanjung Puting National Park’s Visitor Information Centre alongside one from a Tomistoma.

While I can admit to the interest value, I also have to confess if that is my last involvement with crocodiles for a time I won’t be too upset.

Many thanks

Stephen

Tags: Borneo, Crocodylus porosus, saltwater crocodile

2 responses so far

Category: Kampung Konservasi, Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve, Local Communities, Orangutans, Yayorin | Date: Apr 08 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

Orangutan Foundation and Yayorin recently hosted Jason Houston and William deBuys, photographer and writer for the conservation organisation RARE and below is a blog about their visit to Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Kampung Konservasi and the surrounding village communities.

http://www.rareconservation.org/blog/

Tags: Borneo, Orangutans, RARE

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