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In the last few weeks, a new row of cages has been completed in the quarantine area of Matang Wildlife Centre. As past volunteers will agree, this extra space is long over due and a most welcome addition to the centre.
 As you can see from the image, this row will soon be filled with long tail macaques. It means some of the smaller cages that were utilised due to necessity have now been retired, which is great. There are ajoining doors between each cage, to facilitate integration of some of the individuals resident at the centre. Socialising these animals improves their mental wellbeing and enriches their lives, as they live in large troops in the wild and have complex social structures. Labels: Long tail macaque, matang wildlife centre, the great orangutan project, the great projects |
posted by Anonymous @ 7:43 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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The most recent development in the ongoing story of Komeng and Jovans wonderful friendship is that they have been joined by wonderful Nania.
It was a bit of a concern for the staff as introducing a female may disrupt the magical friendship that has developed between poor orphaned Komeng and Jovan......however things went very well.
After Jovan had checked Nania was female, and (ahhheeemm) made her "very welcome", Komeng braved coming down from his hammock and Nania gently stroked his face and held him close.
The three are now living very happily together and Nania seems to be happy to take on the motherly role for Komeng in this slightly obscure family group!
To volunteer at samboja lestari visit http://www.orangutanproject.com/ Labels: Borneo, orangutan, samboja lestari, the great orangutan project, volunteer with orangutans |
posted by Julie {:(|} @ 7:16 PM
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Some new photos of the clouded leopard, one of the newer arrivals at Matang Wildlife Centre. These wonderful pictures are credited to Paul Brand and Leisa Woodhouse, volunteers in July 2010. Many thanks for these.
   Labels: clouded leopard, matang wildlife centre, orangutan volunteer, the great orangutan project, volunteer |
posted by Julie {:(|} @ 2:14 PM
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 .....so I don't know how many of you remember all the talk of the dream team last year....a team of past volunteers and experts who went out to Samboja Lestari in July 2009 to try to implement and pave the way for the volunteer programme that now exists there. Part of our time there was spent working on Island Zero, an unfinished island that could be used to home orangutans from the centre once we had completed it.   The aim was to plant fruiting trees, build feeding platforms and nesting areas and to connect the island up with aerial pathways to allow the orangutans to live, as far as possible, off the ground, and encourage natural movement and behaviours. Thanks to the crazy visions of Rob, our construction expert, we managed to exceed even what we thought was possible, and get ourselves labeled as "Bule Gila" (crazy white people, hehehee!) by the staff as they thought the designs were slightly ambitious, albeit near impossible!      But with dedication and an incredible amount of effort from the whole team; Elaine, Steve, Kay, Hanna, Rob and myself, (along with some AMAZING visiting volunteers along the way!) we worked along side the brilliant staff at Samboja Lestari and made it happen! There was a lot of blood (mainly Robs, he has a talent at bleeding!), sweat (you would just not believe how much, ew!) and tears to get there, but it was worth every single minute of it when we got to look back and see the first orangutans testing out the finished product!   And so a year has now passed since we embarked on our journey to this once strange unknown place called Samboja Lestari, that we now all think of as a second home! And I thought it was a good time to update you on what is happening with the island with some pictures. Here are some gorgeous photos of the orangutans who now call our island bule gila home, Anih, Yuni, Henry, Bong and Misri.   Since the completion of Island zero, some of the other islands have been put to use, including one for the forest school orangutans, and lucky Leo the lonely bachelor, has finally got himself 3 ladies, Juminten, Elisa and Mona. Future plans are to connect Island zero with islands 4,2 and 1, to move Leo's group to island 5, and the orangutans from island 5 to 2, so that all the groups of orangutans who are healthy and eligible for release are together on the connected islands. It was an incredible adventure, and now looking at these orangutans using our platforms and the island, it makes me incredibly happy, as I am sure it will the rest of the team! I just want to say the hugest thanks to all the keepers at Samboja Lestari for making us feel so welcome, for all their incredible strength (without you the "gila" plans would have definitely not been possible) and hard work, and their endless commitment to supporting these wonderful animals! You do a great job, thanks for letting us try to do our little bit!  If you want to volunteer and do your "bit" take a look at the volunteer programme held at Samboja Lestari (and dont worry, this was a one off, there would not be this much construction work to do!!!!!) Labels: Borneo, BOS, East Kalimantan, feeding platform, orangutan, orangutan rehabilitation, samboja lestari, sunbears, the great orangutan project, volunteer, volunteer with orangutans |
posted by Julie {:(|} @ 7:01 PM
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 Great news for lonely heart orangutan Leo who has been living on his own on one of the islands in Samboj Lestari. He finally has some female company in the form of Mona, Elisa and Juminten, who were recently released on to the island to join him!  And that's not even the best bit........despite a long time in cages, within minutes of being on the island one of the girls started to build herself a nest! Natural instincts at their best!  Find details of how to volunteer at Samboja Lestari Labels: borneo orangutans, orangutan rehabilitation, orangutan volunteer, samboja lestari, the great orangutan project |
posted by Julie {:(|} @ 6:04 PM
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 Just a really quick update, latest photo of Kopral, the orangutan at Samboja Lestari who unfortunately lost his arms as explained in an earlier post. Here he is looking happy and healthy, great job everyone at Samboj Lestari for all their hard work and support of this true survivor!!! (and thanks Wiwik for the photo!) Labels: Borneo, borneo orangutan, East Kalimantan, kopral, samboja lestari, the great orangutan project |
posted by Julie {:(|} @ 12:58 AM
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