posted by Catherine on May 7
Would You Believe That The Orangutan Could Be Virtually Extinct In 15 Years?
Some experts would have us believe this if the current trends in rain forest destruction and mono-cultures continued to be profitable in Borneo.
Are people more important than animals?
What’s The Deal?
There are only some many places on earth that Orangutans live, and they are being destroyed at a very fast rate.
Over 50% of the wild population has been lost in the past decade, and it is likely that this figure will continue to decline unless we stop it.
By volunteering, you could help to make sure that the destruction was slowed or at least channelled into the least damaging areas of the forests - rather than key retreats or wildlife ‘corridors’. Of course any destruction of their habitat is a bad thing - but once the key areas are lost, or the links between those areas, then the species cannot survive.
It’s not just home to the Orangutan either. There are pygmy elephants and the Sumatran tiger competing for a living in the same jungles, not to mention a whole host of birds, insects and smaller mammals. All rely on this land and these habitats.
Who Can I Go With?
There are several companies offering volunteer trips to these areas, and all have slightly different aims.
Frontier: from £350, departs all year.
Offer a 9 day or 2 week conservation and adventure package in Indonesia, focusing on the Orangutans habitat and the wealth of other wildlife that needs your help. It also contributes to local communities and is very open about where your money is spent for each project.
The Great OrangUtan Project: $1575 for 2 weeks with baby Orangutans.
This trip is leaving right now as 2 babies are due to be born in the next few weeks! However, they do offer a ‘no touch’ policy for the young and their parents…..
They offer plenty of other trips to Borneo so you have a choice with regards to what your experience can offer the project.
Responsible Travel: from £730 for 6 weeks in June & August.
On this trip you also get an insight into the Indonesian culture and learn the language with this longer than average trip to help out. You will get involved with all aspects of the Orangutan rescue and habitat maintenance programs.
Discovery Initiatives: at £2195 for 9 days with Orangutan experts.
This company offer you the chance to go behind the scenes at the Orangutan centre as well as spending time in the forest with the experts in the field.
Funding goes to offer you a years membership to the foundation as well as a contribution to Rain-Forest Concern.
How Else Can You Help?
Well, here is your chance to make your voice heard on the subject - by volunteering with an effective charity in the region and helping them to make a difference with your time and your money.
And why not make your trip into a longer vacation, by offering to teach in the area, or one close by. Rather than fly all the way there for just that one eco adventure, why not see what else is out the on offer!
However, your money can also help by not spending it at all!
If we know that un-certified Palm Oil and Soy are one of the main reasons that the jungles of Borneo are worth more cut down than standing, lets make a stand.
If you are buying toiletries, margarine, biscuits and detergents with palm oil in them, regardless of their point of origin - then it doesn’t matter how much time we volunteer; it won’t break the destructive cycle or our consumer behaviour.
Imagine the irony of travelling to Borneo to save Orangutans, but blatantly using the very ingredients that are destroying their habitat to wash and style your hair each morning!
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