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Welcome to Givewell's Project Spotlight. Each month we highlight a project for
which a charity is currently seeking funds. We also provide details on how to
give directly for this project.
Background Information:
The Sumatran Orangutan Reintroduction Centre (SORC) is located in the Bukit Tigapuluh (BTP) ecosystem in the Sumatran province of Jambi. This is the largest reserve of lowland rainforest remaining in Sumatra. There is a great need to protect this area as it forms the habitat for a complete collection of Sumatran mega-fauna, including the reintroduced Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Sun bear, Malayan tapir, Sumatran elephant and possibly the Sumatran rhinoceros.
The Critically Endangered Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) populations are less than 7% of what existed in 1900. There are approximately only 6,300 left in the wild, with many killed every year. Unfortunately, 80% of the remaining current Sumatran orangutan habitat is covered by timber and palm oil concessions in the troubled province of Aceh. Sumatran orangutans are the slowest reproducing species in the world, with an inter-birth interval of nine years.
Aim of Project:
The main aims of the reintroduction project are:
1. To enhance the long-term survival of a species
2. To re-establish the Sumatran orangutan as a keystone species
3. To restore natural biodiversity
Project Description:
It is imperative that viable released populations of the Sumatran orangutan are built up outside of the Aceh province. A survey in 2000 found that BTP was highly suitable habitat for the Sumatran orangutan. A conservative estimate found that the BTP ecosystem could support approximately 1,000 orangutans. Over 120 orangutans have been released since 2002.
Sumatran orangutans released at BTP come from the Batu Mbelin Quarantine Centre in Medan. Orangutans housed in this centre are confiscated by the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP). Orangutans are kept in socialisation cages at the BTP release site and undergo intensive pre-release adaptation training. This includes providing the orangutans with various forest foods including fruits, termite nests, leaves and rotan stem. The orangutans then become familiar with these items before being released. Smaller and more manageable orangutans are taken out during the day by technicians to learn vital forest skills such as climbing, foraging and nest building. Orangutans are closely monitored after release and detailed observation records are kept.
The BTP ecosystem is patrolled by Wildlife Protection Units, funded by AOP. The WPUs aim to secure the area whilst protecting the livelihood of the local communities. WPUs are involved in community education programs, including the promotion of sustainable living.
Can donors/grant makers give directly for this project? Yes.
If so, how?
To help support the work the Australian Orangutan Project is doing in Bukit Tigapuluh, please donate here http://www.orangutan.org.au/donations
Contact Details for Further Information:
Phone: 1300 RED APE (1300 733 273)
Web: http://www.orangutan.org.au/donations
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