2009 October | Orangutan Foundation

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Butterflies and birds - diversity of life!

Category: Other wildlife, Pondok Ambung Research Station, Tanjung Puting National Park (TPNP), Uncategorized | Date: Oct 29 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

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

Tags: birds, Borneo, butterlies, Orangutan Foundation, research

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Exploding Fruit!

Category: Orangutan Foundation Staff, Tanjung Puting National Park (TPNP) | Date: Oct 28 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

During the Steppes Discovery study tours (August and September 2009), Ashley Leiman, the Orangutan Foundation Director, played a joke with the “strange fruit” of Tanjung Puting (Indonesian Borneo) forest!The outside of the fruit looks very strong and hard. Ashley asked “who can break it with just your thumb?” The study tour participants tried to push their thumb into the fruit with all their power and then…Puffff….the fruit suddenly explodes over them.Exploding fruit - a study tour participant falls for the trick as the inside of the fruit explodes over his face! Photo by Orangutan Foundation.Greetings and huge thanks to all of the study tour participants from Orangutan Foundation Pangkalan Bun office, your support and donations are very helpful for orangutan and its habitat conservation and also for the local community.Regards,Hudi WD(Orangutan Foundation Programme Co-ordinator)

Tags: Borneo, trips, visits, Wildlife

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Promoting Forests at Sukamara Fair, Indonesian Borneo

Category: Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve, Local Communities, Uncategorized, Yayorin | Date: Oct 22 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

From the 17^th to 24^th October 2009, our EC-Lamandau Programme, together with the Environment Office of Sukamara (town on the Western side of Lamandau reserve), has been participating in the Sukamara Fair 2009.

Our EC-Lamandau exhibition booth really stood out. It was a cheerful display with a drawing and coloring competition for children from the ages of 5 to 11 years old.

Children joining in at the EC-Lamandau stand at the Sukamara Fair

We had an enthusiastic response when the orangutan and deer mascots suddenly arrived. Both mascots told stories about their life in the forest and a lively conversation arose between the mascots and the visitors, including kids! At least 600 stickers and 200 Sumpitan bulletins (local magazine published by Yayorin) were distributed to exhibition visitors and for three evenings, films on conservation education were screened.

The progamme, also called the Lamandau Ecosystem Conservation Partnership (LECP) is funded by the European Commission to maintain functioning tropical forest ecosystems in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, which support sustainable rural development. The Partnership comprises the Conservation of Nature Resources Agency of Central Borneo (BKSDA), Yayorin and the Orangutan Foundation.

Leaves of Hope writen by exhibition visitors

The Head of Sukamara Regency, Ahmad Dirman listened to a brief explanation about our forest protection and community outreach work that has been implemented by Orangutan Foundation and Yayorin. He also wrote on a ‘leaf of hope’ which was hung on a branch in the exhibition.

Ahmad Dirman encouraged the people of Sukamara to support any institutions that work on forest and environment conservation. He proudly accepted a framed orangutan photo (by Brian Matthews who was awarded highly commended in BBC wildlife photographer of the year 2009) brought from London by Ashley Leiman, the Orangutan Foundation Director.

Thank you for your interest,

Astri - Liaison Officer

Tags: BBC Wildlife Photographer, Borneo, forests, Orangutans

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A Wild Life!

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 21 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

Ashley Leiman, the Orangutan Foundation Director, Brian Matthews (wildlife photographers) and Eko Novi from the Central Kalimantan Agency for Conservation of Natural Resources (BKSDA Kalimantan Tengah) were all present for the release of a Malaysian sun bear and a young orangutan into the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve at the end of August 2009.

Ashley Leiman and Eko Novi (BSKDA) pull the rope for Bruno’s cage door. Orangutan Foundation©

The sun bear was named “Bruno” and he had been confiscated by BKSDA from a police offical. After the cage was opened Bruno left cautiously.

Bruno out of his cage. Orangutan Foundation©

He started clawing at a dead log but then suddenly he charged at the onlookers. Ashley ran staright into the river. Brian Matthews slid down the river bank (equipment and all) and everyone else jumped into the nearest boat! After a few hours though Bruno had disappeared into the forest. Wild once again.

Orangutan Foundation©

Young orangutan Brian (named after the photographer) had been confiscated from a oil palm plantation.

Tigor Nainggolan, Lamandau Orangutan Reintroduction Programme Manager, with orangutan Brian.Orangutan Foundation©

At Camp Gemini, Brian was introduced to female orangutan Rosa in hope she would adopt him. Rosa immediately took to Brian, but Brian was a little bit nervous with the whole process.

The latest information from Dr. Fiqri (the vet of Lamandau Orangutan Reintroduction Programme) is that Brian and Rosa were moved by Dr Fiqri and camp staff to Camp Siswoyo for monitoring during the adoption process. Brian has now adapted to his new environment, climbing trees and playing with other orangutans, whilst all the time being watched and followed by Rosa.

Ashley Leiman enjoying the beautiful forests at Camp Gemini in Lamandau reserve. Orangutan Foundation©

Ashley Leiman was very appreciative of the work of the Central Kalimantan Agency for Conservation of Natural Resources (BKSDA Kalimantan Tengah), and we hope that more orangutans and other wild animals, ex-captive and translocated, can be release in the reserve in the future. Orangutan Foundation already has six release camps operated by 35 Orangutan Foundation Staff.

We will keep you updated about Brian and Rosa. Thank you Matthew K, Brigitta S and Tal B for your ongoing support of our work.

Regards,

Hudi Dewe - Programme Coordinator

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Fires still burn in Borneo

Category: Forest Fires, Uncategorized | Date: Oct 08 2009 | By: orangutanfoundation

Dr Suwido Limin sent this email today with photos - we hope the rain continues to fall. Last week Orangutan Foundation sent out £5,260 to CIMTROP (Centre for International Co-operation in Management of Tropical Peatland) to support their ongoing efforts.

Dear Jack,

Fire situation particularly in Kalampangan is the worst during the el Niño this time.

The TSA KALTENG team does work since 8 Aug 2009 to overcome the fires. In the period 18 to 27 September 2009, a fire broke out in Kalampangan is extremely worse and caused all of our reforestation areas and one tower burned down. This condition is very bad for us, and I personally felt very shocked, as if we were not able to handle it well. The entire team members were trying to extinguish the flames maximum. But due to limited manpower and people involved slightly, that we unable to fight the widespread fires.

In Kalampangan is very difficult to enter the forest areas due to the thick smoke and haze. The entrance access to the forest inside has been damaged, so two teams tried to enter through the canal using a wooden boat and the other team went through the Sabangau river by boat and then walking around 2 hours to reach the area. This is really hard work and high risk.

Meanwhile, fires in the Sabangau could be stopped by Patrol Unit Team and some of TSA member. Nevertheless most of people don’t care and unaware with this disaster, probably caused they think that the forest/land burned is not their own personally so they do not feel loss. There is only 1 tower that can be secured, while 2 base camps which founded from Helsinki and Hokkaido Univ, both have been burned. Until now (8 Oct 2009) some of team members had not returned from the forest inside (in Kalampangan area), they are still working extinguishes the fire at some point because the fire occurred at the bottom layer of soil (ground fire).

Since 4 days ago (2 Oct 2009) conditions in Central Kalimantan, Palangka Raya in particular, Kalampangan and Sabangau having occurred several times a heavy rain. This is very helpful, and the condition getting better. Hope that these good conditions continue, so that our environmental damage can be reduced. On behalf of Cimtrop and whole of members of the TSA KALTENG, I’m very grateful for the infinite care and support from various parties who have helped us financially. Forest and land is ours and for the life of our generations in the future.

Best wishes,

Suwido H. Limin

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