Orangutan survey results

The Gunung Leuser National Park Authority (Balai Besar Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser/BBTNGL) and UNESCO held a two-day workshop in Meddan on the „Socialisation of Survey Results on Orangutan Distribution and Density in the eastern part of Gunung Leuser National Park". Five resource persons presented various issues related to the recent survey, among them Dr. Serge Wich from PanEco/YEL, who presented the "Results of Surveys on Orangutan Distribution and Density in the Eastern Part of Gunung Leuser National Park".

In his presentation, Dr. Serge Wich gave an overview of the survey result, which was a joint activity between PanEco, its partner Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari and UNESCO. The preliminary analyses of the data indicates that the area below 1,500 meters asl in the eastern part of the National Park contains between 1065 to 1817 individuals of the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii). However, it is important to realize that the numbers are preliminary and will change once the complete set of surveys in the East and Western part of the Gunung Leuser National Park have been completed. When the two phase survey is completely done, the GLNP will be the first National Park in Indonesia to posses the a comprehensive database on the orangutan.
 
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Batang Toru forest signed

To prevent further destruction of orangutan habitat in the Batang Toru forest, PanEco and its key partner in Indonesia, Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari YEL facilitated the Forestry and Estate Crop Department of Central Tapanuli district to install signage and billboards along the boundary of the Batang Toru forest in the Pinang Sori sub-district in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra. The signage and billboards were installed along the boundary of Batang Toru forest in Toga Basir, a village inhabited mostly by immigrants from Nias island.

Prior to the installation of signage and billboards, two socialization meetings were held outlining the importance of protecting forest as a life supporting system.

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Raising awareness for Batang Toru

PanEco and its key partner in Indonesia, Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari YEL, conducted an awareness programme among Nias church leaders and teachers in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra. Fifty church leaders from Resort 40 of BNKP churches (Banua Niha Kriso Protestan) attended the programme that was held in the BNKP church of Aek Habil in Pandan on 7th May 2010. The awareness programme aims to inform the Nias church leaders about the importance of conserving the Batang Toru Forest blocks and to encourage them to support protection of the forest through religious events.

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Annual Report 2009

In 2009 SOCP was heavily involved in reintroduction and conservation. A total of 31 orangutans were received at the quarantine and 22 sent to Jambi to start the process of reintroduction. The district governments of North, South and Central Tapanuli agreed to change the Batang Toru forest status from production to protection. Tripa is now a consistent part of the ecological land use planning in Aceh, while an international media campaign forced the major culprit of the destruction to stop the expansion of palm oil plantations.

Read the full PanEco Annual Report 2009 for more details.

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New information center on Sumatra

On April 23, YEL chairman dr Sofyan Tan, and the head of the North Sumatran Conservation Agency (BKSDA North Sumatra), Ir. Djati Witjaksono Hadi, signed a  contract of cooperation to establish the new Nature Conservation Information Center (abbreviated in Indonesian to PIKA) in the Sibolangit Nature Recreation Park, an former botanical garden located near to SOCP's existing orangutan quarantine centre. In partnership with BKSDA, PanEco and YEL will together renovate existing facilities, establish education displays (including some ‚living' displays), regenerate the forest plants, promote research and develop environmental education programmes to increase awareness of the rainforest, orangutans and other wild species. The new center will promote Sibolangit and conservation in the region at a local, national and international level.

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Greasy Palms

A new documentary of the paradigm shift project focuses on the massive impact of palm oil plantations on local communities and environment in Indonesia. Watch the film here!

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New film on palm oil

Orangutans are facing extinction because the rainforest is being destroyed for palm oil plantations. Swiss supermarkets are at the forefront to achieve sustainable palm oil supplies. Watch the video!

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