BOS Canada NEWS 2008

For the Protection of wild and rehabilitant & their native habitat

About Update: SPRING 2008 BOS Canada How many Remain?

Borneo BOS Canada is an independent, registered Ca- A recent review (Wich et al., 2008) estimates The nadian charity founded to support orangutan that the number of orangutans remaining in the Orangutan conservation and to raise awareness of the wild is approximately 55,100, with roughly: Orangutan Society, serious threats to orangutan survival. We are Society dedicated to protecting wild and rehabilitant x 6,500 orangutans in Canada orangutans and their native habitat. Activities x 48,600 orangutans in Borneo in Canada focus on education and fundraising. Canada Donations and other funds raised support Due to rapid forest lost, these numbers continue

orangutan protection in the field, in to diminish at an alarming rate. The authors con- President & Executive Director and Malaysia, e.g., rescuing displaced wild FOXGHWKDW´XQOHVVH[WUDRUGLQDU\HIIRUWVDUHPDGH orangutans, rehabilitating ex-captives to forest Dr. Anne E. Russon soon, [orangutans] could become the first great life, and surveying existing orangutan popula- DSHVSHFLHVWRJRH[WLQFWµ Board of Directors tions and habitat. We operate entirely by dedi-

cated volunteers, minimizing administrative Board Anne of E. Directors Russon (Exec. Director) Wich, S. A. et al. (2008). Distribution and conservation James Helmer costs and ensuring that the funds we raise status of the orang-utan (Pongo spp.) on Borneo and James Helmer Rob Laidlaw reach the field projects we support. Sumatra: how many remain? Oryx, 42(3), 329-339. RobLinda Laidlaw Spaulding Treasurer Linda Spaullding The Things They Do Helen Karpouzos We are starting a section of interesting things that orangutans do. We know of no publications that offer this sort of information, although it is always interesting and can, in the long run, contribute to a pool of information on rare events. TreasurerSecretary HelenRachel Karpouzos Horton 7UHDWLQJ.LNDQ·V:RXQGHG)RRW Scientific Advisors By Agnes Ferisa, Orangutan Social Learning and Cultures Project Secretary Dr. S. Wich RachelDr. R. ShumakerHorton Orangutan: Female, ca 2.5 - 3 yrs old, ex-captive in rehabili- Dr. I. Singleton tation, rescued Timur

Location: Forest School, BOS , Kalimantan

HELP US SAVE PAPER Timur

HELP US SAVE PAPER To receive our newsletters by email, Around noon on March 18, 2008, Kikan came please forward your current email and sat near me while I was collecting observa- Toaddress receive to [email protected] newsletters by email, tional data on another orangutan (Merin). treated her foot, she always hit or tried to bite me please forward your current email Once she sat down, she started doing some- To receive our newsletters in print LI VKH SDVVHG E\  %XW , GLGQ·W SD\ PXFK DWWHQWLRQ address to [email protected] thing to the sole of her right foot that involved because I was always busy observing other orangu- form, please let us know in writing or mouthing, biting, and scratching it. I was con- by email, at the address below: tans. To receive our newsletters in print cerned, so I went over to see what she was form, please let us know in writing or doing. When I looked closely, I saw that a On Mar 26, while I was observing Muhadi, Kikan byB Oemail,S C atA theN addressADA below: little, sharp stone had pierced and lodged in the approached me again and held up her wounded sole of her foot. She was trying to get it out 74 Boultbee Ave. foot, the same way she had for the last week. I still Toronto ON, M4J 1B1, Canada EXWZDVQ·WVXFFHHGLQJ,KHOSHGSLFNWKHVWRQH GLGQ·WSD\PXFKDWWHQWLRQ)LQDOO\VKHSLFNHGDOHDI

out using the point of a pencil and then dripped (nothing special), pulled my hand until I looked BOSTel: 1CANADA 416 462 1039 latex from the stem of a fig leaf (Ficus obscura) GRZQDWKHUDQGWKHQDFWHGRXWWKHOHDI¶WUHDWPHQW· on the wound; the wound had a small punc- I had given to her foot. While I watched, I saw that 74Fax: Boultbee 1 416 487Ave. 6851 Email: [email protected] ture, and this latex helps dry wounds. Kikan her foot wound was already closed and healed. Toronto ON M4J 1B1 allowed and watched the whole foot treatment From what happened, my interpretation was that

very calmly and attentively. All done, she went Kikan remembered that I had fixed her hurt foot Canada Web: www.orangutan.ca back to playing. and how I did it, and was showing me that it was healed.

Tel: 1 416 462 1039 Over the next week, I saw Kikan several times. A registered Canadian Charity Each time she approached in a very friendly On June 2, 2008, I was in the forest school near Fax: 1 416 487 6851 way, hugged my leg, and then sat nearby. Then Anne Russon, who was observing Kikan. We both # 86282 4786 RR000 Email: [email protected] she held up her wounded foot and mouthed saw Kikan approach me, sit nearby, then hold up the sole, while looking towards me as if she and check the sole of her right foot. So even wanted to tell me something. (I noticed this months later, Kikan still remembered me as an thanks to Andrea Cowen for our logo EHFDXVH.LNDQQRUPDOO\GLGQ·WOLNHPHEHIRUH, important part of her wounded foot event.

Page 2 BOS Canada NEWS 2008

From the Executive Director

2008 has been a very productive year for BOS Canada. We held two forest life. Via connections with York University, we obtained a col- public lectures in Toronto. The first was my own, Close Encounters laborative Knowledge Mobilization Grant to support this work. Our with the Red Ape, on my 20-SOXV\HDUV·ZRUNZLWKRUDQJXWDQVLQ%RU BOS Canada team has been working on this project all fall, should have neo. The second was by Dr. Serge Wich, who has worked on guidelines drafted by early next year, and hopes to see them used in orangutan research and conservation in Sumatra and Borneo since 2009. 1995. His talk, Orangutans Compared, reported important discoveries on differences between orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra, and even The road ahead in 2009 is no easier, but there are some bright spots. within Borneo, that should influence conservation. We arranged for Threats to orangutan survival have not been stopped or even much Dr. Wich to lecture at the Toronto Zoo and York University, both reduced. The major threat to orangutans for the last several years to full audiences. These lectures attracted large audiences and signifi- has been oil palm plantations, but mine expansion in lowland areas cant funds for orangutan conservation. See them on youtube. is now adding greatly to the damage. On the positive side, national park authorities in East Kalimantan and nearby concession holders are We launched a new small grants program for conservation research seeking help from orangutan experts to manage orangutan-human WKDWVXSSRUWHGWKUHHSURMHFWVLQWKHILHOG3XUZR.XQFRUR·VVWXG\RI conflict. This collaboration has created an important opportunity to KRZRUDQJXWDQV·KDUYHVWLQJRISDOPKHDUWV \HVRUDQJXWDQVOLNHWKHP establish a new wild orangutan research site within the national park too) modifies palms so that it is easier for other orangutans to learn and to work with local concession holders to develop methods of WKHWHFKQLTXH-RVKXD6PLWK·VVWXG\RQRUDQJXWDQDJHQGDVLQKXPDQ- handling orangutan conflicts that best protect orangutans from harm. RUDQJXWDQFRQIOLFWDQGWKH6XPDWUDQ2UDQJXWDQ6RFLHW\·VFRQVHUYD As for rehabilitation, both BOS Foundation projects are now actively tion camp to help local children learn about their own forests and searching for forest school and permanent release sites. The Indone- orangutans. We are very pleased with the results (see reports from sian government has been very supportive of these efforts, and has all three in this newsletter) and plan to expand this program in 2009 been working actively with Indonesian and world experts on orangu- (see our announcement). tans to update its own regulations for rehabilitation. Thus chances are good that within the next few months, these rehabilitants can soon BOS Canada also undertook two important projects that should move forward in their transition to free forest life. The updated rein- contribute to establishing high standards for orangutan rehabilitation. troduction and forest school guidelines should help make transition :H DJUHHG WR WUDQVODWH WKH ,8&1·V QHZ   JXLGHOLQHV IRU WKH programs smoother and more effective that they have been in the reintroduction of great apes into Indonesian and distribute them, and past. obtained grants for this work via the IUCN and Great Ape Trust of Iowa. These guidelines represent the international conservation For BOS Canada, plans for 2009 include completing the projects we FRPPXQLW\·VUHFRJQLWLRQWKDWFDSWLYHDQGGLVSODFHGJUHDWDSHVUHSUH undertook this year and helping to put them into practice, sponsoring sent a very serious problem, that helping them return to forest life more lectures by field experts doing with important work to protect can make an important contribution to conservation, and that the orangutans and other great apes, funding more conservation-oriented process involved is lengthy and complex. Translation work, by work in orangutan habitat, and undertaking conservation work in the Purwo Kuncoro, is virtually complete and we expect to distribute field ourselves. We sincerely thank all our members, volunteers, con- copies early in 2009. We also undertook to develop standards for tributors, and donors who have enabled our work to date, and very the design and operation of orangutan forest schools, a training phase much hope that we can count on continued support this coming year. in the rehabilitation of young ex-captives that helps them acquire the skills needed to survive in the forest. Standards are needed because These days, orangutans need all the help they can get. forest schools face special requirements, constraints, opportunities, and pitfalls, they are increasingly common in orangutan rehabilitation programs, and their effectiveness is critical to successful return to - Anne Russon volunteers , sponsors, & donors Many thanks the volunteers, sponsors, and donors who helped BOS Canada in 2008 Volunteers Sponsors/Supporters Donors

Laura Adams Dave Quinn Elevator Digital, Toronto, www.elevatordigital.ca Sandra Adams Kuda Furniture Lisa Casagrande Joshua Smith David Adams Silver Spoon Restaurant Toronto Zoo, www.torontozoo.com Hoshino Devin Whalen Kim Annala Morning Star Trading Co. Jackie Craig (webmaster) Zoocheck Canada, www.zoocheck.ca Richard Chartier Delight Chocolates Seema Duggal Kaaren Dickson Canadian Association for Bushmeat Awareness Gerry Coughlin Joy Friesen Diane Kalil Elaine Belore Gary Prost Marlene Reitsma Purwo Kuncoro Joy Friesen Great Ape Trust of Iowa, www.greatapetrust.org Lisa Tillotson Diane Kalil Kim Meehan Jenn Lukas York University, Toronto, www.yorku.ca Anne Russon Seema Duggal Charmaine Quinn Darryl Burgess Roderick Stutt Chelsea Gabel NOW magazine, Toronto, www.nowtoronto.com Hilary Young Marc Taslimi Toronto Zoo, www.torontozoo.com Fressen Restaurant Richard Pell

glifencible, http://www.youtube.com/user/glifencible

BOS Canada News 2008 Page 3

Research Update Laura Adams is a PhD student at York University who does observational research with orangutans

I have been working on a study with the orangutans at the Toronto tans. I am studying play because it often includes very elabo- Zoo with graduate student Heidi Marsh, MA, and her supervisor Dr. rate sequences, which makes it perfect for studying behav- Suzanne MacDonald. I put slide shows of photographs on two lap- iour. Young orangutans also coordinate their play with others, tops that played simultaneously for the orangutans to watch. This was offering a great opportunity to examine the social transmission to examine their visual preferences. Did they look more at photos of of knowledge. This research will benefit the orangutans by food or photos of objects? Did they prefer photos of baby orangu- providing us with information on how they learn, which is vital tans or photos of adult orangutans? Although I have not analyzed the to the design of rehabilitation projects. I will observe orangu- data yet, I can report that they paid close attention to the photos tans in the forest schools, and I will observe object play in the even though participation was voluntary (they were free to leave and orangutans in the socialization and quarantine cages. For these go to another part of their enclosure). Most of the time they individuals I will provide play objects, such as fresh branches, watched the photos very intently and even made pleased or agitated logs, and hard to open fruits. This will give them opportunities vocalizations. Stay tuned for the results. to practice skills and learn about objects, as well as benefiting them as enrichment to improve psychological well being. Fur- I am now submitting a research proposal to go back to Samboja thermore, I hope to help fund raise and support any projects Lestari Reintroduction Project in Indonesia, to collect data for disser- that will expand the forest school program so that young tation research on Social Learning and Play in Rehabilitant Orangu- orangutans can learn forest skills.

BOS Canada 2009 Conservation Grants

BOS Canada holds a small grants program to support projects that contribute to orangutan conservation. For 2009 we have a fund of $5,000 CAD, aimed for awards in the $ 500 to $1,000 CAD range. We encourage ap- plications from colleagues and students, especially those from orangutan habitat countries for whom a small grant can provide valuable assistance to their conserva- tion efforts.

deadline for applications: Mar 31, 2009 for details, see www.orangutan.ca/conservation_grants

How you can help

Avoid products using non-sustainable rainforest resources (e.g., protected tropical woods, palm oil)

Avoid activities that exploit or mistreat orangutans (pets, entertainment, intrusive research)

Recycle, especially cell phones (www.eco-cell.org)

Support orangutans through BOS Canada or other orangutan support organizations

Volunteer with BOS Canada

Donate to BOS Canada Image by Purwo Kuncoro

Page 4 BOS Canada NEWS 2008

Orangutans Compared: Dr. Serge Wich

On October 28, BOS Canada hosted a lec- ´IUXLWGURXJKWVµ)RURUDQJXWDQVOLYLQJFRQ ture by Dr. Serge Wich on differences be- ditions are best on Sumatra, progressively tween orangutans that researchers have now deteriorate across Borneo, and are at their identified across Borneo and Sumatra. Dr. worst in E. Borneo. Wich, now a research scientist with Great Ape Trust of Iowa, received his MSc and This may explain why Sumatrans have better PhD from Utrecht University. He has stud- diets, live at higher densities than Borneans ied Sumatran orangutans since 1995 and (roughly 4-6 vs. 1-3 per km2), and are gener- Borneans since 2003, and is now studying ally more sociable. Even when fruits are in the southernmost population of Sumatran short supply, Sumatrans can still find them orangutans. His talk aimed to provide an whereas Borneans shift to low-quality overview of geographic differences in ´IDOOEDFN IRRGVµ HVSHFLDOO\ WRXJK EDUNV Correspondingly, Borneans have smaller and less overlapping home ranges and travel shorter distances daily when food is scarce; physically, they have more robust jaws, smaller brains, and faster life histories (development, intervals between births). These differences may also underlie differ- ences in their responses to habitat distur- these differences mean that orangutans bance: Sumatran but not Bornean densities are in greater danger of extinction than drop drastically immediately after logging, their total numbers suggest. In total, some perhaps because Borneans can make do on 50,000-55,000 orangutans may survive in the lower quality foods that still remain³at the wild. These findings indicate that they least, when logging is relatively light. should be protected as distinct species

and subspecies, however, not as a ho- These differences have important conserva- mogenous whole. In that light, several tion implications. Because habitat distur- orangutans, a framework in which to under- populations are in much worse condition: bance appears to affect Sumatrans more stand them, and some implications for con- only about 6,500 P. abelii remain, and as severely than Borneans, for instance, it is servation. few as 3,000 P. p. pygmaeus. essential to protect primary forests in Suma-

WUD  %RUQHDQV· UHVLOLHQFH PHDQV WKDW SUR First, recent genetic and anatomical work The work that identified these geographi- tecting lightly logged areas may help protect suggests that orangutans are not one species cal differences in orang-utan required the their surviving wild communities. Further, but two: Pongo abelii on Sumatra and Pongo collaboration of at least 15-20 orangutan pygmaeus on Borneo. Further, the Bornean field researchers. Undertaking this col- species itself comprises three subspecies, laboration was as innovative and impor- pygmaeus, wurmbii, and morio. tant as it was enormous. BOS Canada is very pleased to have been able to support Genetic data indicates that the two species the presentation of these new findings, diverged over more than 1,000,000 years and to promote the upcoming book that ago, and even the three Bornean subspecies reports them in detail, scientifically. Book diverged more than 860,000 years ago. information is provided below:

ORANGUTANS Several physical and behavioral differences Geographic Variation in Behavioral are now recognized between the two spe- Ecology cies and perhaps the subspecies. They in- clude density, home ranges, anatomy, diet, Edited by Serge A. Wich, S. Suci Utami interbirth intervals, and feeding strategies. Atmoko, Tatang Mitra Setia and Carel P. van Because orangutans are primarily fruit eat- Schaik ers, these differences may owe to differences in fruit availability on the two islands. Suma- Product Details tran forests are more productive than those Oxford University Press, 2009 on Borneo: Most importantly, Sumatran 464 pages; 83 line illus. & 30 b/w halftone orangutans seem always to have fruit avail- illus.; 7 1/2 x 9 3/4; able but Borneans experience prolonged ISBN13: 978-0-19-921327-6

BOS Canada NEWS 2008 Page 5

Great Ape Trust of Iowa: Ending Orangutans in Entertainment

BOS Canada is pleased to re- conducts non-invasive scientific and participating in ongoing port a step towards ending the research into ape intelligence scientific research. For the misuse of orangutans. Over and behavior. At Great Ape orangutans, use of all these the last year, Great Ape Trust Trust, these orangutans will Great Ape Trust facilities and of Iowa, mainly through the enjoy living conditions designed activities is voluntary, so coer- efforts of Dr. Rob Shumaker, to top standards: a three- cion and command perform- QHJRWLDWHGWKH´UHWLUHPHQWµRI story multi-chambered building ances are, thankfully, things of all remaining entertainment designed to simulate features the past. orangutans in the USA. RI RUDQJXWDQV· ZLOG HQYLURQ ments, an adjacent outdoor We consider this to be a land- The poster boy for this story is area, and a newly opened 3- mark achievement in ending the Rocky who, although only 3 acre forest with dozens of inappropriate treatment of years old, has been one of the climbable (and edible) trees. orangutans. Dr. Shumaker has most visible orangutans in spoken in Toronto on several entertainment. Among his The entertainment orangutans occasions and several BOS Rocky has recently moved to more famous appearances is will be introduced to Great Canada members have visited $SH 7UXVW·V FXUUHQW UHVLGHQW Great Ape Trust over the last Great Ape Trust of Iowa being featured in a photo spread with recording artist orangutans³Azy, Knobi, and several years. We are therefore Fergie, of The Black Eyed Peas, Allie³to allow opportunities especially pleased to report this in (OOH PDJD]LQH·V July 2007 for socializing. Rocky and Katy initiative and offer our con- ³)RUWKHRUDQJXWDQV music issue. have already been introduced. gratulations and support. use of all these Great Rocky quickly took a shine to Ape Trust facilities and Rocky and his mother, Katy, Knobi (and vice versa) and the activities is voluntary, moved from the Los Angeles WZR VRRQ ¶DGRSWHG· HDFK so coercion and area to Great Ape Trust on other. Great Ape Trust will Great Ape Trust of Iowa command performances July 12; others will follow by also provide Rocky and his 200 SE 44th Avenue are, thankfully, things early 2009. Great Ape Trust is companions with novel mental Des Moines, IA , 50320 (515) 243-3580 of the past ³ a privately funded nonprofit opportunities, such as using institute in Des Moines that computers, learning symbols http://www.greatapetrust.org

My Conservation Project at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo By Charmaine Quinn

I recently returned from my orangutans. There are cur- life. He is now a happy, healthy within the next ten years second journey to Sepilok and rently 7 babies in the nursery baby and he loves to swing and orangutans will disappear from will be returning yearly to help group. Ceria, one of the most play on the ropes with his the wild and will only be able at the Centre. During the two recent arrivals is a baby boy friends. The rope system helps to survive in protected re- months that I am at Sepilok, I who arrived at the Centre in to guide and encourage the serves if forest destruction am taking care of orangutans in February 2007 in terrible con- youngsters to climb. He loves does not stop. both the nursery and juvenile dition after being kept as a pet. his food and he is progressing groups. Sepilok Rehabilitation Ceria's mother had been killed well. He will spend many years Centre has been operating by wild dogs on an oil palm trying to develop skills that he since 1964 and currently has plantation while she was des- will need for forest life. Unfor- 54 orangutans in the pro- perately looking for food. At tunately, only one out of every gramme and around 150 the the time of his arrival, he five babies will survive and orangutans in the Kabili re- was very dehydrated, malnour- many babies will die from serve which surrounds Sepilok. ished and anaemic. He was so shock during translocation to The Centre provides medical small that at first sight he was the rehabilitation centre. Sev- care for orphaned and confis- thought to be only a few enty percent of the forest has cated orangutans as well as months old, but Ceria already been destroyed on both islands other wildlife species such as had teeth and his age was esti- of Borneo and Sumatra for the sun bears, gibbons, slow loris, mated to be around 11 production of palm oil, tropical birds, etc. There is a Post Re- months. Ceria had difficulty hardwood and mining. The lease Monitoring Project and breathing, was put on I.V. and orangutan population is plum- Ceria, August 2008 Tracking Teams for the older oxygen and was fighting for his meting and it is estimated that

Page 6 BOS Canada NEWS 2008

Study on Bornean endemic palm tree utilization by free-ranging rehabilitant orangutans: The implications for orangutan social learning and conservation Purwo Kuncoro is an MA student at York University who does observational research with orangutans

Maya is one of the rehabilitant orangutans I neatly trimmed with scissors. To make it adjacent logging concession. We tagged have studied since 2002. She ranges around easer to get at the shoot, orangutans also every bandang in these areas and recorded the Wanariset Orangutan Reintroduction bend older leaves away from the center of the whether their leaves were orangutan- Project (ORP) camp in the Beratus Pro- SDOP·VFURZQVRSDOPVWKDWRUDQJXWDQVKDYH damaged. Our findings show that orangutans tected Forest of East Kalimantan. Maya, like eaten from have crowns that are more ate from some bandang palms regularly but other orangutans, shares complex cognitive ´RSHQµWKDQWKH\DUHQDWXUDOO\%RWKPRGLIL ignored others nearby. Observations on capabilities and personality with chimpanzees cations are highly visible, for years, and proba- the four orangutans we followed, one adult and humans, demonstrated in the complex bly make it easier for later arriving orangutans and one adolescent female and two adoles- foraging skills and attitudes seen in her eve- to eat there. cent males, also indicate that orangutans ryday forest life. If Maya is in an aggressive prefer some bandang palms over others. For mood, she will chase orangutans and humans Between May and Aug.ust 2008, I conducted a example, once when we followed Maya and VKH GRHV QRW OLNH DQG ZRQ·W VWRS XQWLO VKH study in Beratus to assess whether this ban- her infant male, Momo, she traveled beyond gets them. In a calm mood, she will let dang niche construction contributes to her regular area to feed on one particular other orangutans and humans travel with her RUDQJXWDQV· VRFLDO OHDUQLQJ %26 &DQDGD bandang palm and ignored the others that through the forest and show to them what granted me $1000 for this study. My main goal she passed along the way. The bandang kinds of food she prefers, where to find it, was to explore the practical value of bandang Maya ate from already had the damaged how to get it, and much more. It is interest- niche construction for orangutan conserva- leaves; but the bandang that she ignored had ing to know how she and other orangutans tion, e.g., assessing the presence and distribu- a new shoot she could have eaten but no learned, remember, and share information tion of wild orangutans and improving reha- damaged leaves. This suggests orangutans about their environment, especially since bilitation programs. Beratus is a six-hour drive may use this damage to choose bandang their environment changes continually with from ORP headquarters and home to more palms, either because it provides social infor- the seasonality their climate causes. Culture than 300 rehabilitant orangutans. To run this mation that some particular bandang trees could be involved, i.e., systems for sharing study, I recruited and trained five ORP techni- are preferred or because damaged palms are knowledge and skills within a community by cians, so this work should also contribute to more easily accessible. social learning. Cultures are now recognized capacity building of ORP personnel. DV LPSRUWDQW FRQWULEXWRUV WR RUDQJXWDQV· I hope these findings will show the conserva- forest knowledge and skills. My team assessed orangutan damage to al- tion community the importance of social most 700 bandang palms and recorded ban- learning and local cultures when developing An indirect way of sharing practices is by dang heart feeding by four rehabilitant orangu- programs for orangutan protection. I am modifying the physical environment. Termed tans who range in the area. We assessed ban- deeply grateful to BOS Canada for funding niche construction, such modifications can dang damage in four bandang-rich areas, two my project and BOS Foundation for welcom- assist learning if they leave physical traces inside the protected forest and two in an ing and sponsoring this research. that make tasks easier to solve. Chimpanzee stone hammer-and-anvil nut-cracking in west Africa is an example: some hammers and anvils left at nut-cracking sites have pits in their surface caused by repeated use. Pits may help novices learn to crack nuts by mak- ing it easier to position nuts so hammering will crack them. Something similar may hap- pen in Beratus when rehabilitant orangutans HDW WKH ´KHDUWµ RI D ORFDO WUHH SDOP FDOOHG bandang (Borassodendron borneensis). The curious thing is that they eat heart often from some bandang trees but ignore others that are close nearby. We think they may favor bandang modified by others who ate there in the past, because eating bandang GDPDJHV D SDOP·V OHDYHV LQ ZD\V WKDW OHDYH visible traces and probably make eating from that palm easier for orangutans that come along later. Orangutans pull out the newest leaf when it is a shoot and eat heart tissue from its base, so when the leaf matures its tip is damaged and looks as if it had been

BOS Canada NEWS 2008 Page 7

A Snapshot Look at Orangutan-Human Interaction in Rehabilitation Josh Smith is an MA student at York University who does observational research with orangutans

East Kalimantan is one of the last refuges of the orangutan. Orangutans face a number of human threats, particularly human encroachment and habitat loss. Decreased habitat and closer prox- imity to humans create the potential for conflict between orangu- tans and humans. Land-use management, commercial development, and wildlife conservation are interconnected by this conflict. In July 2008 I set off for East Kalimantan to examine this conflict from the orangutan perspective. Orangutans have their own agendas. They are known to approach and initiate interactions with humans. To date no project has assessed orangutan agendas and initiatives in orangutan-human conflict. Improved understanding of the factors contributing to orangutan-human conflicts should help in develop- ing ways to address, reduce, and prevent them. than females to ORP technicians when food was being delivered. With the support of BOS Canada, I travelled to the Borneo Males also appeared to direct aggression towards humans more often 2UDQJXWDQ6XUYLYDO)RXQGDWLRQ·V %26) 2UDQJXWDQ5HLQWURGXFWLRQ females did, e.g. throwing objects or splashing water at them. They Project (ORP) at Samboja Lestari to conduct research on orangu- typically aimed their aggression at male technicians and veterinary tan contributions to orangutan-human conflicts in the rehabilitation staff. They also appeared to target specific staff members, suggesting setting (see A and B in the figure below). I set out to investigate that their interactions depend on the particular relationships they whether developmental factors may predispose ex-captive orangu- have with individual humans. In addition to sex differences, my ob- tans to approach and initiate interaction with humans. To do this, I servations of the male orangutans suggest that individuals with more systematically observed ex-FDSWLYHVDWWZRRI6DPERMD/HVWDUL·VVL[ intensive human contact during rehabilitation were more strongly artificial islands, where they live in small groups under semi- oriented to humans. naturalistic settings (see C below). From July 6 to Sept. 22, 2008, I observed nine orangutans aged 5-14 years, five females (island 6) Findings should aid in managing orangutan rehabilitation and reintro- and 4 males (island 4). Each of them has their own developmental duction by better understanding of how orangutans engage in and history, background story, personalities, and behavioral quirks. handle conflict situations. For instance, male orangutans should be Getting to know them took some work, but was more than worth encouraged to spend more time off the ground and away from hu- the effort. mans (technicians). One possibility is changing the provisioning meth- ods to increase the distance between technicians and orangutans and At this point, I can report several preliminary findings from my place provisions in more arboreal locations. Additionally, rehabilita- study. I found at least two sex-UHODWHGGLIIHUHQFHVLQRUDQJXWDQV· tion procedures might be revised to capitalize on individual human- behaviors to humans. Males spent more time on the ground than orangutan relationships. For example, aggressive interactions and females, especially during provisioning. This brought males closer potential conflicts between technicians/staff and rehabilitants might be reduced or avoided by adjusting job assignments. Finally, that greater Borneo Orangutan contact with humans increases interest in humans is important be- A B cause human orientation has been suggested to retard rehabilitation, Survival Foundation delay or prevent species-appropriate orangutan socialization, and Samboja Lestari, increase the potential for interaction and conflict with humans post- release. By identifying developmental factors and/or behavioural Kalimantan Timur patterns that produce human-oriented orangutans, we may be able to Kalimantan LGHQWLI\SRWHQWLDO´SUREOHPµLQGLYLGXDOV7KLVVKRXOGKHOSUHKDELOLWD tion and reintroduction projects to prevent or counter problem be- haviors during rehabilitation and human-orangutan conflict post- release. Findings may also be useful in managing orangutan-human conflicts outside of the reintroduction context, such as orangutan crop-raiding and orangutan-tourist encounters.

A Note of Thanks I would like to thank BOS Canada for generously assisting with the funding of this project and for logistical support. I would also like to thank the BOS Foundation for sponsoring my research at Samboja Lestari. BOSF staff and technicians provided invaluable assistance during my visit. Of course none of this would be possible without the orangutans themselves. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a part RI%26&DQDGD·VFRQWLQXLQJPLVVLRQWRVDYHRXURUDQJXWDQUHODWLYHV and look forward to working with both BOS Canada and the BOS Foundation in the future.

Page 8 BOS Canada NEWS 2008

Orangutan Information Centre Conservation Camp: Sumatran Orangutan Society

conservation measures, as well as long-term environment; held discussions on the im- planning to live in a more sustainable man- portance of forests and the ecological ner. services they provide every day, without our always realizing it!; and screened films, The camp was held in Tangkahan, from June including Leuser Sumber Kehidupan (Leuser, 23 ² 25, in collaboration with a series of Source of Life), which details the degraded facilitators: another local NGO, the Indone- condition of the 2.7 million hectare Leuser sian Conservation Cadre (FK3LI), the Lang- Ecosystem, Home Sweet Home, about the kat Education Ministry, the Tangkahan Ecot- condition of the planet because of climate ourism Network (LPT), and Fauna and Flora change, and Dear Mr. President, a documen- International (FFI) as represented through tation of Indonesian children and teachers the Elephant Conservation Response Unit delivering their messages about nature (six ex-captive elephants are used for ecot- issues to the President of Indonesia. ourism and patrolling the Gunung Leuser National Park against encroachment). This :H HYDOXDWHG FDPS SDUWLFLSDQWV· NQRZO FDPS·VWKHPHZDV´$FKDQJHLQRXUEHKDY edge of environmental conservation issues The Sumatran Orangutan Society ² Orangutan iour will result in a better, healthier environ- to assess the effectiveness of the conserva- Information Centre (SOS²OIC) hosted a PHQWµ$WRWDORISHRSOHIURPGLIIHU tion camp. We found an overall knowledge three day conservation camp in Tangkahan, ent schools in the Langkat attended increase of 5.7%, from 65% pre-program Langkat regency, , in com- the camp, including 171 students, 40 of their to 71% post-program. That pre-program memoration of the nationally held World teachers, and 47 members of the SOS-OIC levels were relatively high probably owes Environment Day. The camp disseminated a sponsored Orangutan Friends Club consist- to the SOS-OIC's previous efforts and wide range of theoretical and practical infor- ing of primary-university level students. visits with these students (but ² every mation on the environment, with a focus on extra little bit helps embed the messages the orangutan and its rainforest ecosystem, to In addition to informative lessons and discus- and information a bit deeper!). a wide range of Indonesian community mem- sions, competitions, and quizzes, we held a bers. tree planting session in the Tangkahan area, Conservation camps are among our best- which borders the Gunung Leuser National loved programs because they offer stu- A new approach is needed to reach communi- Park, to further 'green' the area and to in- dents training that is not provided at their ties with conservation messages. It is impor- spire participants to care more for their schools or universities. The BOS Canada tant to work in an interactive manner which young Indonesians, upon whom much of the RUDQJXWDQ·V IDWH GHSHQGV FDQ HPEUDFH 7KH conservation camp model was developed to serve this role, through hosting environmen- tally themed quizzes and competitions, work- shops, discussion groups, and practical activi- ties such as tree replanting. It is an extension of SOS-2,&·V ORQJ-running school conserva- tion program, in which our education division travels to schools and throughout Sumatra, but it brings students to the forest for a more hands- (and minds!-) on experi- ence. The camp setting also allows students from neighboring areas to meet and discuss conservation issues together all in a natural, forested area ² thus creating a holistic experi- ence that will hopefully inspire communities to care more for their environment. The main objective is to increase environmental knowl- edge and awareness in communities adjacent to orangutan habitat and to share information about nature conservation and sustainability. The main outcome expected is motivating local people to become more creative and Students displaying the posters they created about conservation issues in Indonesia innovative in embracing their own everyday

BOS Canada NEWS 2008 Page 9

supported camp was no exception. Partici- pants reported high levels of enjoyment of the activities and engagement with the issues presented. The camp also offered teachers training in communicating environmental messages so that the next generation will see the value in protecting their environment. All these influences will be further reinforced through follow-up school and community visits, which are a cornerstone of our ongo- ing efforts to help save the Sumatran orangu- tan. Through such education and awareness programs, as well as our reforestation initia- tives throughout Sumatra, it is our hope that the orangutan and its fragile, beautiful forest home have a chance to survive and flourish. (The latest of our reforestation projects is restoring land within Gunung Leuser National Park that was illegally cleared and planted with oil palms!) It is only with local AND international help that our work can con- tinue. Thus we are very thankful to all the conservation camp participants and to BOS Students displaying the trees they were about to plant in Tangkahan. Canada for supporting our work! Notable Reading

Technical documents. Guidelines for Great Ape Re-introduction. Beck et al. 2007. IUCN/SSC

Guidelines for the Better Management Practices on Avoidance, Mitigation Occasional Paper No. 35, Gland Switz. www.primate-sg.org and Management of Human-Orangutan Conflict in and around Oil The Oil for Ape Scandal: How palm oil is threatening the orang-utan. Palm Plantations. Yuwono et al. 2007. WWF Indonesia. as- Buckland, H. 2005. Friends of the Earth. www.foe.co.uk sets.panda.org/downloads/ou_bmt_report.pdf Ape Tourism and Human Diseases: How close should we get? Homsy, J IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species, 2007. www.iucnredlist.org 1999. International Gorilla Conservation Programme. www.igcp.org/pdf/homsy_rev.pdf Losing Ground: The human rights impacts of oil palm plantation expansion in Indonesia. 2008. Friends of the Earth. www.foe.co.uk/ Recent books featuring orangutans. resource/reports/losingground.pdf Caldecott, J et al. 2005. World Atlas of Great Apes and their Conserva- Strategi dan Rencana Aski Konservasi Orangutan Indonesia 2007-2017. tion. Berkeley: Univ. California Press/ UNEP MCMC. DirJen PHKA, Departemen Kehutanan Repub Indonesia, 2007. Forth, G (2009). Images of the Wildman in Southeast Asia: An Anthropo- Orangutan Population and Habitat Viability Assessment: Final Report. logical Perspective. Routledge: New York. Singleton, I. et al. 2004. IUCN/SSC, Aug. 2004. www.cbsg.org Payne, J & Prudente, C 2008. Orangutans: Behavior, Ecology, and Con- The Last Stand of the Orangutan³State of Emergency: Illegal logging, fire servation. MIT Press, Cambridge MA. DQGSDOPRLOLQ,QGRQHVLD·VQDWLRQDOSDUNV Nelleman, C. et al. (ed.), Shumaker, R 2007. Orangutans. Voyageur Press, St. Paul MN. 2007. UN Environment Program. www.grida.no Wich, SA et al (ed.) 2009. Orangutans: Geographic variation in behav- Hanging in the Balance: An assessment of trade in orang-utans and gib- ioral ecology and Conservation. Oxford Univ. Press. bons on Kalimantan, Indonesia. Nijman, V 2005. TRAFFIC SE Asia. Laman T & Knott C 2009. Face to Face with Orangutans. National www.wwf.or.jp/activity/wildlife/lib/KalimantanOrangUtan.pdf Geographic Society. Websites worth checking out

Orangutan Network: www.aim.unizh.ch/orangutannetwork.html South East Asian Primatological Association: www.aseanprimates.org Grasp (UNEP Great Ape Survival Project): www.unep.org/GRASP/ International Primate Protection League: www.ippl.org International Primatology Society: www.internationalprimatologicalsociety.org European Primate Network: www.euprim-net.eu PrimateLit Database: http://primatelit.library.wisc.edu Primate Info Net: http://pin.primate.wisc.edu International Directory of Primatology: http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/idp World Directory of Primatologists: http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/wdp

Photo by P. Kuncoro Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme: www.sumatranorangutan.org Photo by P. Kuncoro

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BOS Canada Donation

I would like to make a tax-deductible donation of $ ______to BOS Canada to support orangutan protection projects.

Name: ______

Address: ______

______

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Phone: ______email: ______

Send this form with your donation to BOS Canada, 74 Boultbee Av., Toronto ON M4J 1B1, Canada BOS Canada is a registered Canadian Charity # 86282 4786 RR000 You can also donate online, by credit card, through our web site www.orangutan.ca

BOS Canada, 74 Boultbee Avenue Toronto ON M4J 1B1 Canada