Issue 41 AUTUMN 2013
Doyok, an ex-captive male Bornean orangutan, now resident in Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan
THE SILENT type Fiona Rogers
Why aren’t orangutans as vocal reticence is probably the ape’s Ape-language studies in the US have talkative as all other apes? unusual social structure. While each shown them (and other apes) to be adult orangutan is probably aware of his capable of using several hundred Primates are social animals, and social or her neighbours’ whereabouts, they words in American Sign Language and animals communicate with a wide seldom meet, and they choose to spend understanding more in spoken English. range of vocalisations. Why then are most of their time alone. So there’s no Even untrained orangutans, using orangutans so silent? need to say much. gestures and body language, speak The African apes, ourselves included, Males use their spectacular volumes. use a wide variety of sounds. Gorillas, long-calls to announce their presence, A recent study of orangutans in zoos chimpanzees and bonobos use dozens and any orangutan wanting to be left has revealed that they use 40 different of context-specific vocalisations – hoots, alone uses the ‘kiss-squeak’ to say ‘get intentional gestures to mean certain squeaks, rumbles, roars, whimpers and lost’ or express annoyance. But their things, such as a begging hand to ask grunts – some intended for short-distance vocal repertoire is limited. for food, nudging and shooing away a communication and some that carry Most of their long childhood is spent cage-mate or rolling over to invite play. for miles through the forest. Like us, without playmates of the same age. An And in the sanctuaries in Borneo and they laugh when tickled and show their infant clambers around on mother for Sumatra, where orangutan orphans are excitement during games of chase or play- the first few years, and she might play kept together in large groups, there fighting, with hoarse breathy vocalisations a little, but apart from an occasional are many more opportunities for social that show they are having a good time encounter with another mother, for interaction, which raises an interesting (play-chuckles is the technical term). example at a heavily laden fruit tree, question. We are all a product of both When I first visited Tanjung Puting young orangutans simply don’t have our genes and our upbringing. Sadly, National Park in Borneo and was the opportunity to play with friends of more and more orangutans are being accosted from above by a playful the same age. When two mothers meet, orphaned, rescued and brought up by orphan orangutan, I was struck by how they seem largely to ignore each other, communicative humans in large social silent his play was – and by his playfully and if their youngsters do play a while, groups before release back into the flailing hands and feet. But when I it won’t be long before a halt is called wild to form new populations. Will they joined in and politely chuckled with when their satiated mothers move off then revert to their solitary ways or an open-mouthed play-face to show on their separate treetop pathways. will studies of their social life in future enjoyment, there was no answer. This is not to say orangutans reveal a new culture of more sociable The reason for the orangutan’s are not capable of communicating. orangutans? Ian Redmond
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Red Ape AUTUMN 2013_RKC6.indd 1 01/11/2013 18:13 All pictures Yayorin
A personal message It’s the season when we reflect on the past year and what the next year will bring. Here at the Foundation the year goes by quickly – we already are putting dates in the diary for October and November 2014. This brings me to Methane from cow waste transforms into light the question, why do people join for the house or farm the Foundation? Obviously they want to save orangutans and their forest homes. So are we fulfilling our obligation to them and our supporters? If I didn’t believe in doing what we set out to do 23 years ago, I wouldn’t be sending this message now. We have achieved that and more. This year alone we have rescued or translocated ten orangutans. All now are living safely in the protected Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve. And the exciting news in this issue of Red Ape is that we have had six births in Lamandau. But with the best will in the world, the return of orangutans to the forest is not what will save the wild population. We staff six guard posts in Tanjung Puting National Park and four in Lamandau, because habitat protection is our number- one priority. You cannot protect The official opening of orangutans without protecting the demonstration plant the places where they live. The Left: the gas producer preservation of tropical forests also has long-term benefits for the whole planet. It is people whose actions threaten the future survival of orangutans, which also means it is people who are the solution. COW Local people are the best protectors and champions of the forest, which is why we also support our Indonesian partner’s work, helping local people to GAS make a sustainable living from the forest and to understand livestock manure and uses the left-over their wild neighbours and their Energy for the future. slurry as high-nitrogen fertilizer. It is role in it. This issue of Red Ape true green technology – producing highlights how multi-faceted Yayorin is pioneering a ground-breaking renewable energy while putting to good our work is. With your help and initiative that can provide renewable use a gas that is a huge contributor to support, I am confident we will energy within the household budget of the greenhouse effect. It also reduces continue to make a difference for an average local family. One installation the need to collect firewood from orangutans, forests and people. with two cows supports four appliances, the forest or use fossil fuels. Easy for Thank you and best wishes for for lighting or cooking. a community to adopt, such biogas the festive season. At Yayorin’s Kampung Konservasi, local people can now see a production is another example of a Ashley Leiman demonstration of large-scale biogas cheap, sustainable practice that will production. This extracts methane from take pressure off the environment.
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Adela, just after her release into Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve
Rescuing learning to be free
Adela The Foundation now operates Wawan Another youngster being kept Ivan, just beginning to six orangutan release camps learn how to be a wild illegally, now released in the Lamandau River Wildlife orangutan. His friend Yuli is back into the wild. Reserve Reserve. Recent showing him what to do releases include Jupe, who In late September, a team was called remains in the forest and is still in to rescue an orangutan seen in a seen around Camp JL. back yard in Sukamara, west of the At Camp Siswoyo, Lisna Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve. A can be observed almost every farmer had found the young female, day in the trees but still returns probably only five years old, and had to his cage in the afternoon. kept her in a mango tree with a chain Ralph was followed every day round her neck. The land around his in September as he moved from farm was being burnt for slash-and- nest to nest. At Camp Rasak, burn farming, and so the farmer called Edo and her infant Emelda are in the BKSDA (the Bureau for the being closely tracked. Conservation of Natural Resources in The ability of newcomers Central Kalimantan) and the Orangutan such as Melan (see page 6) to Foundation to rescue her. build nests and find food are It is thought Adela, as she is now also monitored. known, had been kept chained for Rocky began his release two months. She seemed weak, partly process in mid-September and because of the smoke, but when the is improving his tree-climbing, Foundation’s vet checked her over, foraging and nest-building skills. she was in good health. Though she Ivan and Yuli have only would normally have still been with her recently been released. Yuli mother, she was on her way to being is skilled at making nests and independent, and so the decision was finding leaves to eat. Ivan is less taken to release her into Lamandau. competent, but as he follows She is being followed, and the latest Yuli closely, he will probably reports are that she is finding food and pick up the skills. making nests.
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Red Ape AUTUMN 2013_RKC6.indd 3 01/11/2013 18:14 Students learning about the forest
Harvesting organic cabbages
Students from Antakusuma University’s agriculture faculty visiting the demonstration plots
Chilli peppers Aubergines Tomatoes
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Red Ape AUTUMN 2013_RKC6.indd 4 01/11/2013 18:14 Conservation through community Education is a vital part of the Foundation’s work, which is why we are proud to be working with Yayorin, our long-term local Indonesian partner. Yayorin has established a conservation village, Kampung Konservasi – a large, dynamic environmental-education complex, promoting integrated conservation and catering for both children and adults.
he education facilities that Kampung Konservasi offers include outdoor learning areas, an extensive library, Ta children’s puppet theatre, alternative-agriculture demonstration plots, fish farms, a medicinal-plant garden, a children’s camping ground, a composting facility and a learning bus. The bus carries a library and is used to reach outlying areas. Relationships with universities and schools in Pangkalan Bun mean it can offer regular classes with fresh approaches to learning about conservation. ‘From the 1970s through to the 1990s, the area was mostly a farming community,’ explains Eddy from Yayorin. ‘Now, most are employed by the timber industry or by plantations. So the farming expertise and knowledge has been lost’ from the community. Without the agricultural skills to earn a living from their land, farmers are unable to risk leaving their logging and plantation jobs. That is why Yayorin’s work is so valuable. Yayorin has now established agricultural demonstration plots and a new training centre at Sungai Sintuk, to teach agro-forestry to local farmers and agribusiness students. It promotes the importance of a permanent Harvesting beans mixed-farming system as an alternative to traditional slash-and-burn and shifting cultivation, as well as the value of keeping standing forest. Supporting alternative livelihoods will help decrease local people’s involvement in the illegal activities in all three conservation areas – Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve, Tanjung Puting National Park and the Belantikan region – all sites where the Orangutan Foundation works and which are globally important for the health of the planet. Sungai Sintuk also publishes training manuals for methods of sustainable agriculture, based on real experiences and field trials at Yayorin’s sites. Famers now know how to see success in yields and are given guidance on handling a budget. The Foundation and Yayorin aim to increase the capacity of local farmers via Sungai Sintuk and so change attitudes towards the forest and land. As the crop productivity from the demonstration trials increases, so more produce is sold in the market. The profits can then contribute to the running costs of the Weaving rattan – centre and its training courses. Rubber trees have already a way for local people to make a been planted, and it is hoped that in the next year or two, sustainable living revenue will be generated from selling rubber at the local market. Yayorin’s projects provide models for local and national government agencies, as well as providing a rare example for conservation agencies of how sustainable agriculture can reduce the pressure that leads to illegal destruction of globally important conservation areas. Case studies of success can also be used when negotiating with people carrying out forestry crimes, showing that alternative livelihoods are possible. The Orangutan Foundation and Yayorin believe that there can be no lasting conservation without education and changes in community practices. Change is already happening, and as the socio-economic conditions of the Tending the allotments communities continue to improve, so the pressure on the forest will lessen.
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Red Ape AUTUMN 2013_RKC6.indd 5 01/11/2013 18:14 Wawan Melan’s rush for freedom, Melan, just after watched by Ashley and her release the Steppes group visitors
Being there, seeing it orangutan conservation tour (Europeans), impressing the group Ashley and the Steppes group then participants witnessed with his confidence. went to Camp Gemini in the Lamandau first hand the work of the The visitors saw examples of River Wildlife Reserve, which is Foundation in Borneo. products made from the forest, and managed by the Foundation (a site watched the making of the popular not open to the public). This September saw another Steppes kerupuk udang – shrimp crackers – In the spring, we reported the story Discovery trip to Indonesian Borneo, taking away a bag or two to munch on. of Aan, peppered with 142 bullets and led by Orangutan Foundation Director Yayorin (the Indonesian Orangutan blinded. She now lives at Camp Gemini, Ashley Leiman. The first stop was the Foundation) is making great progress in her specially adapted cage. village of Tanjung Putri, close to the in helping the villagers sell their wares Also living at the camp was Melan, Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve. in the town. The women also make rescued from an oil-palm plantation Visitors were greeted good use of the nipah palms, which several months ago with a nasty head enthusiastically by the locals and met grow along the river banks. The fruit wound, which required stitching by pupils from the elementary school. is used to produce red sugar, the our vet. The Steppes group arrived One of the students practised leaves for making mats, bags, brooms just as she was being prepared for his English with these orang bule and hats. release. Soon they witnessed the special Being welcomed by moment when she was let out of her the elementary school cage and saw her scramble up a tree and swing from branch to branch, looking happy to be free. The staff followed her for the next few weeks until they were sure she could look after herself and find enough food to survive on her own. One of the trips was to a feeding station. Along the way, the group came across Amoy, with her tiny infant Alexi (see right). On that occasion, Bangkal – the dominant male – visited the feeding site. He keeps the females and youngsters in their place and, with his trunk-like arms and wide cheek-pads, is a magnificent sight. Luxi, Korin, Sela and Melon also came to the station with their young, eager to sample the papaya and bananas laid on by the staff. Though it was wonderful to see the orangutans at close quarters, their table manners were enough to put us off bananas for
Wawan a long time.
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Amoy and her newborn Alexi – a birth worth celebrating
appeared in June at Camp Gemini with baby. She didn’t like being close to Births her two-week-old infant, named Alexi humans and so was only followed for by field staff. Badut, another ex-captive, two days. The most exciting news is that in the past was seen on 24 August carrying an We hope for long and healthy lives six months six babies have been born infant, recently named BB, and was for these babies. Those born to the to reintroduced orangutans. One of followed by staff to make sure all was ex-captives are a sign that released them is Amoy, released ten years ago well. Then at Camp Buluh, a wild female orangutans are able not only to survive in Lamadau River Wildlife Reserve. She orangutan was also seen carrying a in the wild but to breed. Wawan The rescued sunbear, Forest now released cuttings at Camp Gemini l A sunbear was released recently on the opposite side of the river to Camp Gemini. The guard-post staff have been keeping an eye on it while out on patrol.
l Communication with local people is vital to our work. Recently a farmer who had previously spoken with our staff reported a sighting of an orangutan. Though on this occasion the orangutan did not need rescuing, it is heartening that some farmers are now contacting us rather than taking their own, sometimes destructive action. Successful initiatives have led to villagers reporting lost or trapped orangutans, usually seen on land where oil-palm plantations are being created in close proximity to the forest. Our aim is help people become more tolerant of the apes and to remember that they are protected by law.
l Habitat restoration continues, with 300 tree seedlings planted on degraded land near Camp Gemini and 156 trees planted at Camp Rasak. The trees are species that produce fruit which orangutans will be able to eat.
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Red Ape AUTUMN 2013_RKC6.indd 7 01/11/2013 18:14 NOTICEBOARD Thank You Individuals Albertino Abela, Betul Al-Bassam, The Big Give Christmas and representing campaigning groups, animal sanctuaries and food outlets. Graham Banes, Stephen Briggs, Challenge Steph Brown, Steve Bocock, We’ll be there trying to raise as much Double your donation Lottie Coombes, Mike & Ursula Fuller, money as possible for these great apes. Christy Harrison, Mr & Mrs Peter with just one click! Hatchman, Gary Hodges, Peter Lavin, Get ready to donate The 2014 Steppes discovery Jo Lynch, Chris Martin, Brian Matthews, online at tour to Borneo Paul Matthews, Steve Oliver, www.thebiggive.org.uk Group 1: 9–18 June Adela Pickles, Jacha Potgieter, starting at 10am on Sir Terry Pratchett, Chris Redston, Group 2: 15–24 September 5 December, with Fiona Rogers, Anup Shah, Experience first-hand what your support another chance on the Helen Shearan, Sue Silk, Susan Shimeld, helps us to achieve by joining an Orangutan following two days. Colin Smythe, Pam Swan, Dan Ward, Conservation Tour in Indonesian Borneo, Giving £10 to the Orangutan Foundation Rob Wilkins, Ian Wood, Chris Wright, led by Foundation Director Ashley Leiman. will become £20. Trevor Wright Praise from a past participant included SAVE UP all your donations and double ‘seeing so many orangutans and having Organisations them by going online from 5–7 December. such a knowledgeable and fantastic guide Agency for the Conservation of Natural Resources Central Kalimantan [Ashley Leiman] ... One of the all-time best. The 2014 Volunteer Programme (Indonesian Government), Blackpool This tour gives you privileged access Zoo, Care for the Wild International, There will be two to orangutans in the wild, while helping Discworld Monthly, European Union, trips, each lasting in the fight against their extinction. Orang-utan in Not e.V, Orangutan four weeks, based Don’t miss this wonderful and unique Project, Prospero World, Sumatran in a protected area. opportunity. Contact Steppes: enquiry@ Orangutan Conservation Programme, The cost is £850 steppesdiscovery.co.uk or 01285 643 333. Tanjung Puting National Park (including food and Charitable Trusts accommodation in An EVENING WITH Orangutan Arcus Foundation, The Big Give, Pangkalan Bun, excluding flights). EXPERT DR JOHN MACKINNON Body Shop Foundation, Chris Redston, The provisional dates are: ‘Wallace the naturalist – City Reads, Colchester Zoo: Action for Group one: legacy and relevance today’ the Wild, EAZA, Gemini Foundation, arrive 4 August; depart 31 August. Humane Society International Group two: 12 November 2013, Linnean Society, Australia, Huxtable Charitable Trust, arrive 7 September; depart 5 October. London; £20 including wine Kings Cullimore Charitable Trust, For information: [email protected] A vital insight into Wallace’s work and Lush USA, Mazars Charitable Trust, stating which group you would like to join. conservation and his favourite species – the Planet Action, Reed Foundation, orangutan. Contact: [email protected] Rufford Foundation, Simon Gibson Charitable Trust, Start Turtle or phone 020 7724 2912. l The Orangutan Foundation Volunteer (Discworld Convention), Programme was established in 2000 in United States Fish & Wildlife Service, Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Congratulations, celebrations Whitley Animal Protection Trust Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). l We are pleased to Corporate Support Our programme is like no other announce the Foundation Inside2Outside, Little Satsuma, and promises exciting opportunities has been awarded a grant for adventurous individuals. Volunteers Paterson Arran, Steppes Discovery, of ¤21,000 from EAZA The One Off, Viridian, Willow Magazines participate in conservation work that really for the research project makes a difference, while getting a chance ‘Conservation of orangutans and their New Life Members to see ex-captive (and wild) orangutans in habitats in and around the Lamandau Philip Allen, Martha Bell, Cynthia their natural habitat. River Wildlife Reserve, Central Kalimantan, Dotter, Marian Fitt, H Hardarson, It has never failed to be a success. Past Indonesia’. Eliza Harvey, Jill Jordan, Susan Turner, volunteers all agree that taking part was an Habsari Utami, Sarah Waters unforgettable experience, and they remain l We are delighted that Wawan, the committed supporters of the Foundation. Foundation’s vet, received a special mention l The Orangutan Foundation would like The location depends on the needs in the Society of Biology’s photography to send our congratulations to Astri and of our field operations at the time. In the competition. The theme was Feeding Life, her new baby girl Refa, born 10 October in past, volunteers have worked in Tanjung and his entry, Fight for Life Circle, was one Borneo. Astri has worked in our Indonesian Putting National Park and Lamandau of the top 12 chosen out of almost 600 office for seven years. Wildlife River Reserve (the current release pictures. Wawan’s site). The invaluable work has included picture will now be l We are proud to announce that Iman, the construction of guard posts and displayed at the our colleague at Yayorin, has received a orangutan release sites. Royal Institution grant for a master’s degree to start his during Biology studies in Borneo. Studying at the National Christmas fayre Week and at the University of Indonesia, in collaboration Meet the Orangutan Foundation team Society of Biology’s with Rutgers University (USA), Iman’s on 8 December at Animal Aid’s annual Parliamentary dissertation will focus on orangutans, Christmas Fayre, at Kensington Town Reception in the gibbons and the banteng of Borneo – Hall, London, W8, 10am–5pm. Entry is £2, House of Commons, the world’s most endangered wild cow. under-11s free. The closest tube station is and will be printed High Street Kensington. The fayre will in the Society of l Congratulations to Orangutan Foundation feature more than 95 stands promoting Biology’s 2014 trustee Ian Redmond on being awarded the ethical living and cruelty-free products calendar. IFAW Animal Action Award this October.
Orangutan Foundation, 7 Kent Terrace, London, NW1 4RP www.orangutan.org.uk email:[email protected] phone: 020 7724 2912 Printed on recycled paper. Contributions by Nicola Pollard; designed by Simon Bishop; edited by Roz Kidman Cox.
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