 Matang’s two youngest orang-utan are slowly but surely increasing their independence. They no longer require a night-time vigil (which is great news for staff!) and are spending longer and longer each day strengthening their climbing muscles in their outdoor climbing area. In the large part, they seem to enjoy each other’s company, though occasionally they do annoy one another. It is certainly good for them to have each other, as spending more time in the company of another orang-utan is infinitely preferable to spending protracted periods of time with just humans for company. There are some photos below for your enjoyment.   |
posted by Natasha Beckerson @ 5:12 PM
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 Recently, Matang has become home for a female rhinoceros hornbill, which is the state animal of Sarawak. These are magnificent birds, very large and listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. This bird was temporarily housed in the quarantine area while the large aviary opposite the orang-utan dens was re-worked by our July volunteers and a preliminary disease screen was carried out. The large aviary has been divided into two large spaces, one half intended for this new arrival and a pair of pied hornbills destined for the other half. It was great to see the rhinoceros hornbill literally spread her wings and take advantage of the larger space on the afternoon she was transferred.  Labels: hornbill, orangutan volunteer, sarawak orangutan volunteer |
posted by Natasha Beckerson @ 5:07 PM
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  Recognition for Great Orangutan Project at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2010 Great Orangutan Project run by Way Out Experiences, has been highly commended in the Best volunteering organisation category at this year’s Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. The Great Orangutan Project is part of a family of animal protection projects under newly launched The Great Projects (www.thegreatprojects.com) The Judges said “Tough times in the tourism industry can often lead to integrity being the first value to take a cut. Not so with Great Orangutan Project – who have continued to provide wildlife experiences without allowing volunteers physical contact with the orangutans. The now ABTA-listed organisation demonstrates good practice in volunteering with increasing commitments to accountability and transparency.” At a ceremony hosted at World Travel Market (WTM), Docklands, London, on Wednesday 10th November, the Awards were handed out by Justin Francis, managing director of responsibletravel.com, organisers and founders of the Awards, and Amanda Wills, managing director of Virgin Holidays, headline sponsor of the Awards. The Awards are the most prestigious and competitive of their kind in the world and are a collaboration between online travel directory responsibletravel.com; UK media partners Metro Newspaper and Geographical Magazine and World Travel Market who host the ceremony. The central tenet of the Awards is that all types of tourism - from niche to mainstream - can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. Afzaal Mauthoor, co-founder of Way Out Experiences and Managing Director The Great Projects – Way Out Experiences Ltd receives award from Justin Francis above and says at the awards: “The Great Projects like the Great Orangutan Project is an example of animal protection tourism where your travel can help save endangered animals abroad. It was a bold concept started 6 years ago. It’s now firmly rooted in the responsible travel movement after winning the award two years in a row. Its travel experiences like ours that add the responsible and compassionate side to tourism today - to protect vulnerable animals in vulnerable habitats for our future generations.” Launched in 2004, the Awards are run in association with partners World Travel Market, Metro Newspaper and Geographical Magazine industry. Visit The Great Projects website on www.thegreatprojects.com to find out and the award winning project The Great Orangutan Project www.orangutanproject.com Or call us on 0845 3713070 (within UK), or +44 1582 469950 (outside UK) Email: volunteer@w-o-x.com Labels: Best Volunteer Organisation, great orangutan project, Justin Francis, the great projects, Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2010 |
posted by Julie {:(|} @ 11:18 PM
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 for the Great Mountain Gorilla Project??? Just so you knoow where we are at, I'm off on Saturday to Uganda with a million and one things to find out and organise, and all going well will come back with the fine details down and the full costings and itinerary for it all to go ahead! So get ready for the adventure of a lifetime and a chance to see these majestic animals out there in the wild!!! Labels: gorilla mountain gorilla, volunteer |
posted by Nicola {:(|} @ 9:49 PM
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I am happy to say that just a few moments ago we were awarded Highly Commended in the Best Volunteer Company Category at the Responsible Travel Awards at WTM! Thanks everyone who voted for us :)
Now if you want to take part on any of our projects visit www.orangutanproject.com or www.thegreatprojects.com And all of this on "orange for orangutans" day....whos wearing orange??? Labels: orangutan volunteer, Responsible Travel Awards, the great orangutan project, the great projects, volunteer, WTM |
posted by Nicola {:(|} @ 8:16 PM
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posted by Nicola {:(|} @ 8:18 PM
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